A Cambridge Boat Club’s Docks are Free of Goose Poop Now — Thanks to AI

AI solution tackles persistent goose problem on Charles River docks: A retired engineer has developed an innovative artificial intelligence system to keep geese and their droppings off the Riverside Boat Club’s docks in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The challenge: Rowers along the Charles River have long struggled with Canada geese occupying docks and leaving behind messy droppings, making launching boats a less-than-pleasant experience.

• Previous attempts to deter geese, including fencing, kites, noisemakers, and motion-activated sprinklers, proved largely ineffective.
• The issue was particularly problematic in the early morning hours when many rowers prefer to exercise.

The innovative solution: Andy Roy, a retired biomedical engineer and rowing enthusiast, created a low-cost AI-powered system to protect the docks from geese.

• The system uses cameras mounted on the boathouse to capture images of the docks every few seconds.
• A Raspberry Pi computer processes the images to detect motion.
• When motion is detected, the image is uploaded to Amazon Web Services for AI-based image recognition.
• If a goose is identified, the system activates lawn sprinklers to scare off the birds.

System effectiveness: The AI-powered deterrent has been highly successful in keeping the docks clean and goose-free.

• For several months, the Riverside Boat Club’s docks have been almost entirely free of goose droppings.
• Club members have praised the system as a “game changer” for improving their rowing experience.
• The geese have learned to avoid the docks, often departing at the sound of the sprinklers before getting sprayed.

Cost-effective and environmentally friendly: The AI solution offers an affordable and humane approach to wildlife management.

• The system costs only about $20 per month to operate, with minimal charges for cloud-based image analysis.
• The method complies with the Migratory Bird Act of 1918, which prohibits harming geese but allows for harmless harassment.
• Wildlife experts suggest that water-based deterrents are more effective long-term than visual or auditory scare tactics.

Broader implications: The success of this AI-powered solution could have far-reaching effects on wildlife management and urban coexistence.

• Other rowing clubs have expressed interest in implementing similar systems to address their own goose problems.
• The approach demonstrates how AI and low-cost technology can be applied to solve everyday environmental challenges.
• This innovation highlights the potential for creative, non-harmful solutions to human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas.

Looking ahead: As AI technology continues to advance, we may see more applications of smart systems in managing wildlife interactions and improving urban environments.

• The success of this project could inspire similar AI-driven solutions for other wildlife management issues.
• It also raises questions about the broader potential of AI in environmental conservation and urban planning.
• Future developments may focus on refining the technology to address other species or expanding its use to different settings.