B.O.N.G.I.: Biological Observation and Navigation for Guano Investigation

Description

B.O.N.G.I. was developed as a non-invasive robotic solution to assist ornithologists at the Betty’s Bay penguin colony. Its purpose is to remotely locate, collect, and return guano samples from moulting African Penguins without causing disturbance to the animals.

Key features include:

• Remote operation for safe sample collection.
• Live video monitoring via ESP32-CAM for navigation and identification.
• Tracked locomotion to handle uneven slipway surfaces.
• Front-mounted servo-driven scraper for non-invasive guano collection.
• Onboard storage to preserve collected samples for testing.
• Wireless operation with battery power lasting over an hour.
• System designed under a strict budget constraint (R1500).

The system passed the majority of its Acceptance Test Procedures, demonstrating reliable performance, although improvements were identified for traction and waterproofing.