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RubyConf AU 2015: http://www.rubyconf.org.au Two thirds of honeybee hives have died out in Virginia. Is it possible for us to devise a way of monitoring beehives in remote locations to find the cause? Enter a raspberry pi + rails. Using a combination of this robust hardware and software solution, we were able to successfully track, monitor and provide real time reporting on the well-being of hives from across the county. Find out how we used ruby, rails, solar panels and other libraries to provide insight into this problem.
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In his talk at RubyConf AU 2015, Sean Marcia discusses a unique project aimed at monitoring honeybee hives to understand the causes of their decline. With the alarming statistic that two thirds of honeybee hives have died out in Virginia, Sean presents a solution utilizing Raspberry Pi and Rails technology to track and provide real-time data about hive conditions. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Personal Anecdote and Community**: Sean shares his childhood experience with bees and highlights the supportive nature of the Ruby community. He credits open-source contributors for enabling developers to pursue their passions. - **Bee Population Decline**: He presents data indicating that about 67% of bees have died in Virginia, facing threats from pesticides, mites, and other factors. The global implications of bee population declines affect food production, with 65% of food relying on bee pollination. - **Project Goals**: Inspired by Hermann Priya's wish to monitor beehives for temperature and weight, Sean aims to explore simple and cost-effective technology solutions to contribute to bee conservation efforts. - **Technical Implementation**: The project employs Raspberry Pi computers powered by solar panels to gather environmental data from the beehives. Sean discusses his creative problem-solving when faced with technical challenges, including a humorous moment involving unconventional materials for probe protection. - **Community Engagement and Fundraising**: The project's social media success led to community interest, raising over $12,000 via an Indiegogo campaign. This financial support facilitated expanded research and educational outreach, including teaching sustainable beekeeping practices. - **Technology Overview**: Sean details the technical aspects of the setup, using Raspberry Pi with Ruby and Sinatra for data processing and dashboard creation. He emphasizes the accessibility and ease of implementing similar projects for those interested in tech for social good. - **Encouragement to Get Involved**: He concludes by urging audience members to participate in projects that address community needs, promoting initiatives like Ruby for Good that connect technology with civic engagement. In summary, Sean's presentation emphasizes the importance of technology in environmental conservation, encouraging the Ruby community to leverage their skills to make a positive impact. He fosters the message that small projects can lead to significant societal benefits, and encourages attendees to explore engagement opportunities within their local communities.
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