- batmanlab
- May 19
- 2 min read
Advancements in technology and innovations in animal research enhance scientists' ability to address unanswered ecological questions. These tools enable biologists to assess animal behaviour and test new equipment before committing to the capture, tagging, and release of free-ranging animals. Bats are the only mammals that can fly, making up almost 25% of all mammalian species, with almost 1,500 species worldwide. Bats play a critical role in ecosystems. Understanding their behaviours and movement is key to conservation. Traditional tracking tools, such as radio telemetry, offer limited data resolution and short-range tracking. Emerging smart wearable systems are reshaping this field. Featherweight, energy-efficient, and allowing real-time monitoring, these devices enable unprecedented insight into bat ecology.
Wearable Smart Devices (WSDs) designed for small bats must meet strict criteria: they must be ultra-lightweight (less than 5% of body weight), not restrict movement in any way, be non-invasive, biocompatible (which means that the material can come into contact with the bat’s skin without causing irritation, allergic reactions, toxicity, or other harmful effects), have sufficient battery power for long-term monitoring, and be durable in harsh environments. There are no current devices meeting all these requirements. However, recent advances in flexible electronics, low-power sensors, and energy harvesters will make this possible.
Wearable devices can integrate multiple sensors including GPS (Global Positioning System) for location tracking, accelerometers to give more precise movement data that can be used to understand behaviour, and temperature sensors to measure both body temperature and the external environment. Our research involves investigating how these can be embedded within biocompatible, flexible substrates that allow revolutionary lightweight technology.
Data will be collected and processed through analytical software to identify bats’ behavioural patterns, and map flight paths across landscapes. Data will inform ecologist about habitat use, migration patterns, and how bats adapt their behaviour as a result of human activity. Data can currently be collected from days to weeks, depending on battery life and data transfer needs. Devices can then be recovered or remotely deactivated. Power management is a key factor; most designs include small rechargeable batteries. Wireless data transmission or retrieval data storage via satellite or radio communications ensure minimal energy usage and allow real-time remote monitoring.
In our BATMAN project, our efforts aim to reduce device size and weight by combining innovative nanomaterials, bio-integrated flexible electronics, and energy harvester design. Our objectives are to expand sensor capabilities to enable new ecological insights and to develop an AI model which will refine data analysis, allowing automatic classification of bats' behaviours.
Conclusion
Smart wearable electronics are revolutionizing bat research. By enabling power-efficient, real-time tracking of movement and physiology, these loggers will close many of our current knowledge gaps. The integration of wearables technology, energy harvesting, and AI analytics will enable a new era in wildlife research. These tools will not only protect bats but also serve as a blueprint for monitoring other elusive species worldwide.
