The Joint Institute for Beekeeping Research (JIPR) of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, together with the Center for Scientific Beekeeping at the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Institute of Fruit Growing," continue to work on a unique project, "Intelligent Beekeeping," which combines tradition and high technology.

Employees of the JIPR's Department of Scientific and Methodological Support for Digital Development installed the first prototype sensors at an experimental apiary. Now, not only experienced beekeepers but also smart devices monitor the hives.

What exactly do the sensors monitor?

The monitoring system, as explained by Sergei Potetenko, Head of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Support for Digital Development, collects data on three key parameters:

Temperature: a critical indicator for the survival of the bee colony in winter and the development of brood in spring.
Humidity: helps assess hive ventilation and the risk of mold or disease.
Sound: the most innovative parameter, microphones record the hum of the bee swarm.

Sound analysis is what opens up new horizons. Based on the buzzing sound, artificial intelligence can determine the colony's status: whether it's preparing to swarm, whether it has a queen, whether the bees are healthy, or whether they're under attack by pests. This allows beekeepers to receive notifications about problems remotely, without having to disturb the bees with unnecessary inspections.

The project's goal is to create a comprehensive digital platform that will help increase apiary productivity, maintain bee health, and improve the quality of Belarusian honey.