tcc315bluetrak

BlueTrak : 

BlueTrak Clement Song Shan Wu University of Virginia

Animal Tracking : 

Animal Tracking Animal tracking is useful in many areas Protecting endangered species Migration patterns Habitats Lifestyle

Uses of Animal Tracking: 

Uses of Animal Tracking Habitat analysis of animals Study of parenting behavior during rearing of young auklets the protection of elephants from ivory poachers in Kenya Tracking animal health condition (Beef industry)

Current Methods for Animal Tracking: 

Current Methods for Animal Tracking Remote devices attached to animals to collect data Methods for remote data retrieval Satellite Data transferred directly from animal to satellite Problems: Expensive, obstruction of signal VHF (Very High Frequency) radio transmission Problems: physical following of devices, limited range/frequency

Problems with Current System: 

Problems with Current System Expensive!!! Knowledge of animal interaction can better our understanding of animal communities Data only on individual animals Restriction on data type Availability of sounds, images, potentially videos will provide even more information to scientists on living environments, interaction characteristics, habits Inconvenient data collection For VHF tags, animals must be physically followed to collect data Chances of device retrieval low $5000 (price for basic GPS collar with satellite connection) down the drain if tagged animal is not recovered Loss of data Satellite signals are attenuated under dense canopies and at low altitudes

The Ideal Tracking system: 

The Ideal Tracking system an automated system to gather detailed data on interactions with resources, competitors, and predators. [Interaction] data would be needed for modeling vertebrate food chains and webs … with a view to predictive conservation - Robert E. Kenward, expert in telemetry

What Is BlueTrak?: 

What Is BlueTrak? The BlueTrak system uses Bluetooth wireless communication technology to collect information, relay information, and deliver information.

What is Bluetooth?: 

What is Bluetooth? Wireless communication technology PAN (Personal Area Network) Major advantage: Ad-hoc networking

System at a Glance: 

System at a Glance Physical Components Bluetooth enable mobile device Bluetooth enabled Access Points (stationary) Information Relay Mobile devices within range with each other exchange stored information Mobile devices within range of access point transfer stored information, including those of other devices Recording Interactions - The event that two devices are within range is recorded

Animal Tracking System Overview: 

Animal Tracking System Overview

Design Innovations: 

Design Innovations Autonomous system Information collected by mobile devices themselves via information relay Minimizes human-intervention Ability to directly study interactions (application to animal tracking) Professional patent search returned nothing identical

Animal Tracking Market Potential: 

Animal Tracking Market Potential 9000 satellite devices active in March 2002 3000 active for animal tracking Numerous radio devices used during same period Expert scientist opinions Autonomic system would be an excellent bonus Directly collecting animal interaction data would be invaluable to research

Slide13: 

Animal Tracking Development Costs Mobile device Access Point

Slide14: 

Market Analysis Retail Price BlueTrak system 1 Access point - $65 development cost 7 mobile devices - $455 development cost Total - $520 development cost Retail Price - $520 x 4 = $2080 Compare to current systems 30 BlueTrak systems (210 mobile devices, 30 access points) is $62,400 210 current satellite devices would cost $1,050,000 BlueTrak costs 1/18 current price

Application for Nursing Homes: 

Application for Nursing Homes Efficient way of monitoring physical conditions of elderly residents in nursing homes and equivalent communities. Vital data on the elderly in these communities need to be recorded regularly

Aiding the Elderly Market Potential: 

Aiding the Elderly Market Potential 17,000 nursing homes in the United States 1.5 million residents 6.6 million aged 65 or older need aid in at least one daily activity 65 million Americans over the age of 65 Inexpensive and reliable way for family members to keep track of loved ones’ conditions Extensive market growth in next 30 years – aging of the Baby Boom Generation

Why BlueTrak? – Competitive Advantages: 

Why BlueTrak? – Competitive Advantages Animal Tracking interactions logged Automatic system utilizes information relay Aiding the Elderly Low-profile, unobtrusive Information relay – “reduce expenses and hassle of multiple fixed base stations” - Brent Mathews, Darden GSBA student Low power consumption Inexpensive solution

E-Team Members: 

E-Team Members Faculty advisor in Biomedical Engineering Tremendous help for biomedical applications of BlueTrak 4 undergraduate Computer Engineers 2 have extensive background in programming 2 extremely familiar with patent pursuit and business development External mentors Engineering faculty, MBA student

Timeline: 

Timeline Phase I (done) Software system prototype, Preliminary patent search Applied for NCIIA grant Phase II (done) Provisional patent application (Granted September 2002) Future Uncertain future for Bluetooth Unexpected costs of integration

Acknowledgements: 

Acknowledgements Those who have provided us support and technical advice Dr. Mircea R. Stan, UVA Electrical Engineering Dr. Ronald D. Williams, UVA Electrical Engineering Mr. Harry C. Powell, UVA Electrical Engineering Dr. Stephen G. Wilson, UVA Electrical Engineering Dr. James H. Aylor, UVA Electrical Engineering Dr. Herman H. Shugart, UVA Environmental Sciences Dr. William F. Walker, UVA Biomedical Engineering TCC professors and TAs

Thank you for your time!!: 

Thank you for your time!! Questions?

Financial Projection: 

Financial Projection Combined market 30,000,000 + 150,000,000 = $180,000,000 First two years 3% = $5.4 Million/year Annual growth = 5% After 5 years, $7 Million/year

Licensing VS. Selling : 

Licensing VS. Selling Licensing (sell ideas) Sit back to collect royalty while working on new ideas More realistic

Future of BlueTrak: 

Future of BlueTrak Microcontroller to integrate Bluetooth chip and collar control Customizable tracking device with varying accessories Sensors for sound, image Automatic collar-expansion to accommodate for growth Less conspicuous system Accessories for image, audio, even video

Problems with Current System: 

Problems with Current System Expensive!!! Knowledge of animal interaction can better our understanding of animal communities Data only on individual animals Restriction on data type Availability of sounds, images, potentially videos will provide even more information to scientists on living environments, interaction characteristics, habits Inconvenient data collection For VHF tags, animals must be physically followed to collect data Chances of device retrieval low $5000 (price for basic GPS collar with satellite connection) down the drain if tagged animal is not recovered Loss of data Satellite signals are attenuated under dense canopies and at low altitudes

Project Goals: : 

Project Goals: Eliminate the need to physically follow animals for data collection Automated collection of data Provide ability to log animal interactions. Increase lifespan of tracking device and the frequency of data logging while reducing power consumption. Provide customization Simplify device retrieval

The Ideal Tracking system: 

The Ideal Tracking system capable of 10m location resolution an automated system to gather detailed data on interactions with resources, competitors, and predators. [Interaction] data would be needed for modeling vertebrate food chains and webs … with a view to predictive conservation - Robert E. Kenward, expert in telemetry

Our Claims : 

Our Claims A system of logging animal interaction BlueTrak system using Bluetooth technology in a system of relayed information The apparatus of the mobile device The apparatus of the access point

Target Markets: 

Target Markets Primary Research Scientists Livestock Industry (Cattle Industry) Secondary Household pet owners Tertiary hunters, hunting parks Price/system 1/16 of current

Why Us??: 

Why Us?? Innovative product idea using cutting-edge technology Beneficial to scientific communities that address environmental concerns Excellent market potential Dedicated development team with technical and entrepreneur experience

Funding Needs: 

Funding Needs Prototyping Materials Tools (CAD, machinery) Detailed market research Determine product derivatives and uses Technical/business consulting Patent Application Business startup

Price Break Down: 

Price Break Down Other electronics = $160 7 Collars = $70 7 GPS chips = $70 Total (manufacturing): $600 Market Price: $2400 Current implementation(210 devices) $1,050,000 30 BlueTrak systems (210 devices with 30 access points) $72,000 (1/15 of current) 8 micro-controllers = $160 8 Bluetooth chips = $40 Storage = $100 1 access point + 7 mobile devices (piconet)

Price Breakdown (Conti.): 

Price Breakdown (Conti.) Current implementation(210 devices) $1,050,000 = 3,500 BlueTrak devices at $300 each

Price Break Down (conti.): 

Price Break Down (conti.) Optional Satellite system on access point, $3000 each, total: 90,000 + 72,000 = $162,600 (1/6 of current) Accessories (micro-phone, camera, sensors), $100 each

Market Competition : 

Market Competition eMerge Interactive, Inc Animal tracking, data management, and supply procurement services to the U.S. beef production industry. “For the nine months ended 9/30/01, revenues rose 89% to $898.6 million” Yahoo Finance

How the System Works: 

How the System Works Access Point

Current State: 

Current State Software specifications completed Hardware design proposed Patent search complete (12 similar patents) 6,315,719 -- Medical monitoring of animals 6,198,394 -- remote transceiver monitoring using GPS 6,347,095 -- Bluetooth proximity based networking 5,857,433 -- animal GPS tracking