The new IoT solution uses Globalstar’s satellite services and chipsets
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services has implemented its technology for the development of the SaveMyReindeer solution. Developed by animal tracking specialist FindMy, this IoT solution is designed to prevent trains from colliding with reindeer in Norway’s hinterland.
Each year, trains kill about 6,500 of the Nordic region’s 600,000 reindeer, with an estimated loss of 8.5 million euros ($10 million) worth of livestock.
FindMy uses the Globalstar network and STX3 chipset for its animal tracking collars and services, including SaveMyReindeer.
The SaveMyReindeer solution uses data from the Norwegian Railway Directorate on the real-time location of each train combined with open data from the Norwegian mapping authority Kartverket, to create a moving geo-fence 40-50 kilometers around the train. By comparing the geo-fence area with GPS data from FindMy collars already keeping tabs on reindeer, the system warns train drivers when they are approaching the animals so they can either accelerate to get out of the herd’s way, slow down or stop the train. The reindeer owner simultaneously receives an alert on their smartphone warning them that their animals may be in danger, giving them the opportunity to move the reindeers.
Because reindeer are herd animals, any collision with a train can injure as many as 50 of them at a time. The SaveMyReindeer system is now being considered for testing elsewhere on the Norwegian national railroad system.
“FindMy’s IoT solutions are already proven in protecting sheep and cattle and SaveMyReindeer holds even more potential to prevent needless incidents, while helping the nation’s railway users suffer fewer disruptions and improving train staff welfare,” said Kristin Skjerven, senior advisor with Kartverket.
“When designing SaveMyReindeer, we knew that only satellite would give us the reach we needed in remote regions. Other requirements were low power consumption and minimal maintenance since reindeer live outdoors year-round,” Halvor Mjoen, founder of FindMy, said.
“Low cost was also a key requirement to drive higher volumes of collars, and allows us to develop new international markets – Globalstar plays a big part in making all of this possible. Moreover, we have only just scratched the surface as to how IoT can be used; we believe there will be many more meaningful and practical applications,” he added.
