In our special #QSBM Insights and Innovation from our Industry Sessions – we’re inviting leading food and agribusiness experts to share their business journey – from small business to nationally recognised innovators.

In this series hear from leading innovators and learn how their innovative mindset has shaped their small business.

We’re delighted that Joel Kuperholz from VimanTech – the tech team behind The Purple Hive Project will join us for a morning of conversation, inspiration and insights.

About Joel

Joel has a track record in autonomous field robotics having been the co-founder of the first Mars Rover team to compete at NASA’s Mars Desert Research Centre in Utah, USA. Joel has a passion for assistive tech, participating in hackathons to develop open source technology and shared this passion as a teacher of rapid prototyping at Monash University.

Vimana Tech is an Australian tech company creating and assembling technology for value to benefit those in rural Australia with a particular focus on agriculture. Vimana focus’s on enhancing the interaction between technology and people by assembling technology for value.

Purple Hive Project & Vimana Tech

Focused on agriculture, Vimana Tech lead delivery on the Purple Hive project, responsible for the design and invention of the device. Vimana tech was responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the Purple Hive.

When the opportunity to collaborate on such an exciting project with a proud Australian company, we jumped. Building tech for good is ultimately what gets us out of bed. It’s incredible computer vision and artificial intelligence, working towards saving the bees and Australia from a devastating biosecurity threat which is the varroa destructor.

Purple Hive Project

The “Purple Hive” is a solar-powered artificial intelligence-based device, trained to detect the Varroa mite in real-time. The intention is that the Purple Hive will help prevent the spread of Varroa mite if the Varroa mite were to make its way into Australia.

The Purple Hive is currently under development and will use an algorithm to observe each individual bee entering the hive. The Purple Hive will scans each honey bee to determine if Varroa mite is present.

If a Varroa mite is detected, a notification will immediately be sent which will allow for the hive to be quarantined to stop the spread of the Varroa mite

The aim of the Purple Hive Project is to create the Purple Hive to provide a solution for what is currently a painstakingly manual detection process.

This event has been made possible through the support of Department of Small Business Employment and Training as part of Queensland Small Business Month.

12.30pm arrival for 12.45pm start

1.00pm – Session with Joel Kuperholz

2.00pm – Networking, refreshments and light lunch

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL!

COVID Requirements

• Numbers are limited and are subject to change to accommodate any new requirements.
• Only those with pre-purchased tickets are able to attend.
• Please respect general social distancing measures and those put in place by the venue and organisers.
• Please stay at home if you are unwell or have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath.