During my final capstone project, our team developed a GPS tracking collar designed to monitor bison in harsh environments. Existing collars failed due to extreme bison behaviors like wallowing, fighting, and rubbing against trees. In addition, harsh weather conditions were also a factor. To address this, we engineered a robust, wallowing-resistant collar with a self-releasing mechanism to ensure long-term reliability.
The main design challenges we tackled were as follows:
- Drop-off Mechanism: The collar needed a reliable release system that could withstand tension (up to 990 kg) and harsh conditions. We compared seatbelt and pin designs, selecting the seatbelt mechanism for its superior robustness and debris resistance. The drop-off housing also had to endure temperatures from -40°C to 40°C, resist impacts, and protect internal electronics. We used CNC-machined 6061 aluminum and 304 stainless steel for critical components.
- Power Efficiency: The collar required a four-year lifespan on minimal batteries. We optimized energy consumption by selecting low-power components (LPC802 microcontroller, SAM-M10Q GPS, KIM2 satellite module) and implementing sleep modes.
- Compact Design: All electronics, including the PCB, had to fit within a 30×40 mm space while maintaining functionality.
Sponsored by Wright Collars, our project followed a structured timeline from conceptual design to prototype testing. The final design combined mechanical durability, electrical efficiency, and software-managed power systems to provide accurate, long-term tracking for conservation efforts.
This project allowed us to refine our design through iterations, addressing unforeseen challenges in prototyping and testing. The result was a cost-effective, reliable solution to support bison conservation.
