Winged beasts can teach us a lot about aerodynamics and joint protection. Insects are an incredibly important part of our world.
Now, thanks to a research team at Copenhagen University, they can be automatically identified and catalogued using infrared sensors and artificial intelligence.
If an insect flies past, a sensor automatically measures its wingspan. The AI compares the size and shape of the wing against a database, categorising and counting the insects according to species.
The team’s goal is to find out why 40% of insect species are in decline, and a third of insects generally are endangered.
Initial tests will be conducted in various landscapes – including forests and meadows – in the spring.
An initiative that could really take wing.Â
