AI effigies intermittently emit piercing sounds
In Switzerland, a new approach to repelling crows and starlings is being tested by Agroscope, using Artificial Intelligence (AI). The project, known as ETHIC, is a five-year research initiative funded by the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (BLW) starting in 2026 and coordinated by Agroscope.
The ETHIC project focuses on techniques for optimising the distribution of crows in agricultural environments. One of the key components of this project is the development of an AI scarecrow. This innovative device is designed to counteract the crows' ability to adapt quickly to traditional deterrent methods.
Crows and starlings can cause significant damage to newly sown winter cereals, as well as young corn or sunflower fields. Their intelligence and quick adaptation to current methods of deterrence have made it challenging to effectively regulate their populations. Traditional methods such as scarecrows, balloons, self-shooting devices with acoustic startle effects, and hunting shots have often proven ineffective.
The AI scarecrow is part of an intelligent and adaptable system currently being developed by Agroscope. It honks irregularly, only using the acoustic startle effect selectively when needed, to prevent birds from getting used to it. In addition to the AI scarecrow, the ETHIC project is testing further deterrent techniques, such as treatment of seeds with repellent agents, intercropping with camouflaged seed rows, and different types of scarecrows.
A comparative ethnological study is also part of the ETHIC project. This study aims to identify warning calls of different crow species in different geographical areas, allowing local "dialects" of crows and mechanisms of how they adapt to be analysed. This understanding could provide valuable insights into the behaviour of these intelligent birds and help develop more effective deterrent strategies.
The ETHIC project covers various research areas that go beyond the Swiss border, including the adaptation of startle effects to different species of crows and their frequency. The project's ultimate goal is to help find better protection for newly sown field crops, ensuring the continued success of Swiss agriculture.
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