Electronics industry careers promotion

EIDA promotes careers at schools and community events in and around Adelaide, including illustrated presentations on the industry, its companies, products and employment opportunities. EIDA also participates in senior school career promotions typically for year 11 and 12 students. At a recent ‘Careers Night’ EIDA member Applidyne demonstrated its latest development of ‘Felixer’ – the leading weapon in the control of feral cats and foxes. 

Feral cats are the greatest threat to native wildlife in Australia. They have been implicated in at least 27 mammal extinctions across Australia and currently threaten more than 100 native species, including mammals, lizards and ground nesting birds.

Feral cats are notoriously difficult to control as they are reluctant to take baits or enter traps, particularly when prey, such as small native mammals, are abundant. All cats are fastidious cleaners that groom regularly, so this natural grooming behaviour of the cat created the pathway to instinctive toxin delivery by the ‘Felixer’, a novel, humane and automated tool to help control feral cats and foxes, which was developed in Adelaide by Applidyne Pty Ltd.  

Toxin delivery through grooming has advantages over conventional traps because the feral cat does not need to be restrained and ‘traps’ don’t need to be frequently checked and rebaited. Recognising the need and opportunity for grooming-based cat control Action 1.2, a ‘very high priority’ of the Australian Government Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by Feral Cats (2015) is to ‘Develop and register other cat control tools, including devices exploiting cat grooming habits’.

Felixers use rangefinder optical sensors and recognition software to distinguish target cats and foxes from non-target wildlife and humans, and the unit sprays targets with a measured dose of toxic 1080 gel. The solar-powered Felixer which can hold 20 sealed cartridges of toxic 1080 gel, resets automatically after firing. Felixers photograph all animals detected (including non-targets that are not fired upon) and can be programmed to play a variety of audio lures to attract feral cats and foxes. A choice of software settings control the sensitivity and likelihood of firing on target cats and foxes.

A camera based Artificial Intelligence (AI) system with a Kendryte processor working in tandem with the four Lidars offers an enhanced target detection capability that is being implemented in the new batch of V3.2 Felixers will be available for lease from 1 October 2022.

Students, parents and teachers at the Careers Night were fascinated by the concept of using the natural behaviour of these animals and the science and engineering to develop this effective control system. An excellent illustration by EIDA of the resourcefulness and scientific capability of the Adelaide Electronics Industry and window on careers in this vibrant industry.

See also: 

https://www.applidyne.com.au/portfolio/feral-cat-grooming-trap/   

https://thylation.com/