AI camera traps for early warning

SAGE’s field experience in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra points to a demanding early-warning problem: elephant movement can concentrate at forest–village interfaces while cellular connectivity is unreliable. Monitoring these areas 24x7 for elephant activity is a daunting and dangerous task for volunteer teams. Together, we are testing whether low-cost, locally serviceable sensing can provide useful unattended detection and early warning.

Habitat Robotics is working with SAGE to evaluate low-cost camera traps that can support on-device elephant detection and relay compact alerts over LoRa or LTE. Coupled with WhatsApp integration and an audio warning system built by SAGE, the system will provide a critical early alert to Quick Response Teams, reducing the chances of crop damage and injuries to humans and elephants.