Commercialising the Bilby™ – a below ground wireless sensor node

Project details

Status: Current

This project will attract and work with an industry partner(s) to bring the Bilby™ to market and conduct extensive field and consumer testing to ensure the Bilby™ meets the needs of Australian farmers.

What is the Bilby™?

The Bilby™ is a below ground communications node that connects to any SD1-12 sensor, including the enviroscan and enviropro. By locating it underground, it is kept safe from damage by stock, machinery or pests.

How does it work?

The Bilby™ sends data (such as soil moisture) to an above ground gateway located safely in a non-production area such as a laneway or fence line. It is capable of sending data up to 300 to 3000 m away depending on burial depth, topography and soil moisture.

The equipment will enable growers to install sensors in the actual production zone.

What are the benefits?

It will allow farmers to install soil moisture probes along with its power supply and communications, completely underground.

This has the dual benefits of protecting expensive equipment and installing sensors in the actual production zone.

By taking away the risk of damage to in-paddock sensors, farmers can make data-based decisions to improve soil management.

Commerical readiness

The project will look to work with potential industry partners to bring the Bilby™ to market and ensure the usability for Australian farmers.

Commercialisation and adoption of the Bilby will revolutionise soil moisture sensing in agriculture and enable better and sustainable irrigation management, enhancing productivity and profitability.