Israeli students take bat-bot to international competition
The robot, which detects and repels bats through a range of steps, will compete at next year's Robotics World Championship in the United States.
Sixth-graders from Ofek Elementary School in Ramle have captured first place in a national robotics competition with a bat-repellent robot. The victorious students will represent Israel at next year's Robotics World Championship in the United States.
The winning robot uses sensors to detect the bats and then repels them by employing three different means – activating a powerful light projector, releasing the scent of a predator, and emitting a sound that deters the flying mammals.
The robot uses a different repellent method each time to prevent the bats from growing accustomed to the device.
"The students conducted a survey among residents of the neighborhood in which the school is located and found that the people do indeed see the bats in the area as a nuisance," said school principal Dorit Nevo.
"They then began looking for a solution that would deter the bats but not do them any harm – a technological and environmentally friendly solution."
The sixth-graders studied the bat population and revealed that they come to the area every year during the months of March and April. They also discovered that the bats are sensitive to strong light and fear the scent of predators. The bats, the students also learned, tended to flee from sounds made by other bats like them.
With these findings in hand, the students put together their bat-repellent robot, which will be placed on the roof of the school and snap into action whenever it detects one of the flying pests.
"You have brought much honor to the city, which invests a great deal in education and provides you with all the technological resources you need to succeed," said Ramle Mayor Yoel Lavi at a ceremony to mark the students' victory.
"Thank you for the honor you have brought to the city."
