Description
i-bee is an app that allows beekeepers to monitor THE temperature, sound, hive weight, population count and motion in their apiaries through the use of sensors and data transmission stations connected to a smartphone app. The app also sends out push notifications to the beekeepers in the event of an emergency or critical situation that threatens the hives. Beekeepers can remotely monitor the status of their apiary and hives in real time, and the hive weight data supports them in the control of the honey harvest. The app provides temperature and humidity data to the beekeeper all year round, alerting him/her to any need for insulation or ventilation. The sound data, on the other hand, provide the beekeeper with information about the brood of the queen and the swarming process. The app also features a beekeeper's diary that is free to use.
Technology
The i-bee application is available for both iOS and Android devices. Sensors must be purchased separately to make use of all its features, which can be added through the app upon the user’s first subscription. The special sensors installed in the hives, including HUB, HIVE, SCALES and COUNTER sensors, transmit temperature, sound, weight and population data to a server, while a base station i-bee HUB is installed in the apiary that transmits the data on the status of the apiary to the server via GSM or Wi-Fi. HUB can operate from an external power supply or an internal battery, and can also be connected to 220V power sources or solar panels, while the base station requires a 220V or solar panel connection. Weather sensors can be integrated into the base station as an option for the recording of precipitation, air temperature and humidity, reported every 30 minutes. i-bee HIVE sensors installed on the hives check the temperature, humidity and sound inside the hive, as well as the weight of the hive, and perform a guard function in the event of a fall, tilt or theft of the hive. External COUNTER sensors can be included in the system as an option, with the ability to count the number of bees in each hive and to be connected to the HIVE sensors. SCALES and SCALES-PRO weigh the hive and send all data to the HIVE central block via Bluetooth. SCALES PRO is the wireless version of the wired SCALES sensor, and while both can weigh up to 200kg, SCALES can be further modified to weigh up to 400kg. All data collected on the server can be accessed via a mobile application, for which both iOS and Android versions are available. The app also uses automatic algorithms for the analysis of sound and for forecasting the state of bees.
Target
i-bee is available in the English, Ukrainian and Russian languages, and can is adaptable to apiaries and hives of different size. The company made its first sales in 2019, and has since expanded the functionality of the app based on user feedback. i-bee was developed following a series of consultations with experienced beekeepers, ensuring the validation of the model. The company tested the prototype devices on several hives in working apiaries, and developed the necessary technologies and requirements for the transmission of the data to the mobile application. The company carried out several pilot projects, involving research institutes in Poland and large agricultural holdings (Kernel and Continental Farmers) in Ukraine to aid in pollination activities, leading to improvements in the applied technologies. The app has both Android and iOS versions, downloadable from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and 1000 downloads have been made to date.
Business model
The USD 15 monthly subscription provides users with access to the Cloud for information storage, notifications of changes in their hives and remote monitoring through a connection to the hardware monitoring components of HUB. The apiary diary included with the app is free for all users. The hardware can be purchased as part of a package for one, five or 10 hives, or individually (HUB, HIVE, SCALES and COUNTER). As the components are interconnected, individual purchases tend to be replacements, except in cases where additional components, such as for COUNTER or SCALES PRO. The package for one hive includes one HUB, one SCALES and one HIVE, and is priced at USD 279, without the monthly subscription, while the five-hive package costs USD 747, containing one HUB, fives SCALES and five HIVE components. For 10 hives, the cost is USD 279 for one HUB, 10 SCALES and 10 HIVE components. The individual components are priced at USD 162 for HUB, USD 70 for HIVE, USD 47 for SCALES, USD 140 for SCALES PRO and USD 150 for COUNTER.
Impact
According to the website, i-bee contributes to the reduction of all possible risks, including disease and loss of bee swarm, and aids in the improvement of planning and the recording of technological operations. The mobile app allows all data to be uploaded to an Excel file for further processing. For agricultural holdings, the main focus is on analysing the number of bees and tracking honey production, while for nomadic apiaries, emphasis is on the timely movement to new blooms. Industrial apiaries require deep and consistent monitoring on a hive-by-hive basis, and the collection of extensive data for future season planning. For private beekeepers, the app facilitates the online monitoring of their apiary, and rapid response in times of need.
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
