Using AI with bioacoustics — from rainforests to backyards

After deploying The Guardian in rainforests, this new audio tool is for home users

Topher White had a great idea in 2011. He was working as a volunteer in Indonesia in a gibbon reserve. Topher discovered the sound of illegal logging activity there. This led him to develop a tool that used AI to help detect the sound of chainsaws and trucks in the forest. Called “The Guardian,” it was successfully deployed in thousands of locations through an organization he founded: The Rainforest Connection.

By using AI with bioacoustics to identify sounds like a chainsaw, Rainforest Connection could send an alert to local officials so they could intercept the illegal activities and protect the forest.

Yes, in my backyard

Now, Topher has taken this concept even further by creating a new audio tool that you can use in your own backyard. It’s called “Delta,” and it can listen to animal activity in your yard, identify species, and send data to the cloud or to your smartphone. The new device was set to launch on Kickstarter on June 20th, and should be available in September 2023.

Topher White holding a new intelligent audio-listening tool for home use — Topher White demonstrates a Delta.

Listen to our Soundproofist podcast interview:

In this episode of the Soundproofist podcast, we talk with Topher White about the history of the Rainforest Connection, the details of developing the Guardian device and how it was deployed in rainforests, and the features of the newest tool (Delta) from Topher’s company, Squibbon.

Listen to our podcast with Topher here:

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