A Surrey resident, irked by wild foxes and badgers leaving a mess in his garden, ingeniously modified his home surveillance system to deter these creatures. James Milward ingeniously integrated a device that emits high-pitch sounds into his camera system and taught the device to recognize these garden intruders using an extensive library of images.
The Furbinator 3000, as he fondly dubs it, might seem eccentric, but Milward confirms it has successfully safeguarded his landscape. However, he admits that the journey to this innovative solution wasn’t without hiccups. Milward recalls how the camera system initially mistook badgers for umbrellas, sinks, and occasionally bears, causing some uproarious moments during the trial phase.
Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, Milward patiently cultivated his camera’s ability to identify the night-time visitors accurately. The results? The Furbinator successfully identifies a fox or badger, triggers the high-frequency sound, and sends the confused creature scurrying away, leaving the garden safe and pristine for Milward’s young children to enjoy.
Despite the success, this ultrasonic deterrent has its share of critics. The RSPCA has expressed concerns about possible discomfort, fear, and pain that such devices can inflict on animals, and warned that predicting individual animal responses can be challenging.
Milward reveals that while he fosters respect for wildlife and seeks harmonious cohabitation, he insists on a humane and effective method to protect his children and preserve his garden from their mess.
The IT professional believes that his Furbinator has potential beyond securing residential gardens. He suggests it can be an effective deterrent against potential predators in larger agricultural settings and in any environment where human-animal conflicts arise.
Milward is not interested in capitalizing on the Furbinator. He has made the programming code open-source, hoping to benefit others who might be grappling with similar problems. Amidst the venture’s broader implications, Milward admits his wife remains somewhat puzzled by his intense passion for the project but equally accustomed to his ingenious problem-solving approach.
