Tracking Honey Bees Using LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Technology

BENDER, SUSAN FAE ANN ; RODACY, PHILIP J. ; SCHMITT, RANDAL L. ; HARGIS JR., PHILIP J. ; JOHNSON, MARK S. ; KLARKOWSKI, JAMES R. ; MAGEE, GLEN I. ; BENDER, GARY LEE

Sandia National Laboratories

关键词: Biological Warfare Agents;    Training;    Remote Sensing;    Military Equipment;    Sampling;   

DOI  :  10.2172/808625
RP-ID  :  SAND2003-0184
RP-ID  :  AC04-94AL85000
RP-ID  :  808625

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has recognized that biological and chemical toxins are a real and growing threat to troops, civilians, and the ecosystem. The Explosives Components Facility at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has been working with the University of Montana, the Southwest Research Institute, and other agencies to evaluate the feasibility of directing honeybees to specific targets, and for environmental sampling of biological and chemical ''agents of harm''. Recent work has focused on finding and locating buried landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Tests have demonstrated that honeybees can be trained to efficiently and accurately locate explosive signatures in the environment. However, it is difficult to visually track the bees and determine precisely where the targets are located. Video equipment is not practical due to its limited resolution and range. In addition, it is often unsafe to install such equipment in a field. A technology is needed to provide investigators with the standoff capability to track bees and accurately map the location of the suspected targets. This report documents Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) tests that were performed by SNL. These tests have shown that a LIDAR system can be used to track honeybees. The LIDAR system can provide both the range and coordinates of the target so that the location of buried munitions can be accurately mapped for subsequent removal.