Large numbers of cormorants perch on a Eversource Energy power distribution line over Cedar pond (Cape Cod, MA) after hunting in order to dry their wings. While perching, they defecate into the water below, altering the water’s chemistry such that it kills fish and causes other environmental issues. Additionally, cormorants are a loud bird species, and they disturb the residents in the vicinity of cormorants’ roosting locations. The goal of this project is to create an inexpensive, automated solution to deter cormorants from landing on the powerlines. This project aimed to design and test a prototype solution that can be field-tested. The robot developed during the project can traverse a power cable, detect a bird using ultrasonic sensor, switch on sound and light deterrent, and charge itself through a docking station.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kadoya, Kohmei

Subject

• Sustainability
• Water
• Innovation
• Infrastructure
• Environment
• Energy
• Project-Based Learning

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-121521-091326
• 43186

Keyword

• Eversource Energy
• Mobile UI
• Lake Ecology
• Power Line Robot
• Bird Deterrent
• Bot On A Wire

Advisor

• Lewin, Greg

Year

• 2021

Sponsor

• Eversource Energy

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
• 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
• 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

Date created

• 2021-12-15

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Robotics Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright