At the final event of the Horizon Cascade project RODENT, we will present the results of developing a prototype system that uses ultrasound to non-invasively deter rodents from agricultural crops, with the sound source moving above the field via a drone.
The project was delivered by the Palace of Science 3D Sound Center, in collaboration with the School of Electrical Engineering, the Innovation Center of the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade, and the Jeličić family farm. A multichannel ultrasonic array (8 transducers) was developed within a purpose-built mechanical structure designed to ensure a more even distribution of acoustic energy in the area beneath the drone, along with the complete hardware system (PCB, a 20–70 kHz signal generator, eight-channel amplifiers, power supply, and integration for stable flight). The system was tested in the lab (including measurements in the anechoic chamber at the Palace of Science) and then in field conditions, supported by drone flight-path optimization algorithms and AI-based rodent detection on thermal imagery.
The event is open to the public, and admission is free.