Bird Buddy Launches 'Wonder' Camera for Watching Insects

[MacRumors]

The creators of Bird Buddy, a camera-equipped bird feeder, today showed off two products that are designed for watching insects, flowers, birds, and other flora and fauna.

Under a new "Wonder" brand, Bird Buddy's creators have introduced the Petal camera and Wonder Blocks, which are designed to "capture wondrous moments of nature" in a backyard.

Petal is described as a versatile, biomorphic camera that takes images and video, much like the Bird Buddy. Captured photos are sent to an app and can be viewed on the iPhone. A built-in AI feature called Nature Intelligence interprets the "sights and sounds of nature," to show birds hatching, butterflies flitting by, bees visiting flowers, and more.

The camera has a flexible stem and universal clip so it can be positioned anywhere outdoors, and it can be purchased with an optional solar roof.

Wonder Blocks are designed to be used alongside Petal, and can be used to create habitats for wildlife. With a pedestal base, users can personalize Wonder Blocks with plants, seed trays, bee hotels, bug hotels, and a butterfly feeder.

The Petal camera and Wonder Blocks will be available as part of a Kickstarter campaign in spring 2025.

Article Link: Bird Buddy Launches 'Wonder' Camera for Watching Insects

 

[iZac]

Juli, I’m eagerly awaiting your in-depth review of the bird bath next

 

[vegetassj4]

In Soviet Russia, Insects watch you...or something

 

[CarAnalogy]

I have a feeling it would quickly end up full of wasps instead of bees.

 

[Porco]

‘Hello, yes, um, sorry to be a nuisance, but I keep noticing some bugs in your software…’

 

[mrr]

How fun! 🌲 🐌🦋🪰🐛🌼🐜🪳🐞🕸️🌺🕷️🦟💐

 

[sleeptodream]

Anybody else think it’s creepy that there’s a lot of connected camera devices out there these days? My mom just got one that’s a bird house… Then there’s Ring cams, Amazon Shows, etc etc.

I always have that feeling I’m being watched 👀

 

[syklee26]

My boss will definitely install this at my cubicle.

 

[platinumaqua]

How long before the company folds and the users are left with an expensive paperweight because they can't function without an Internet connection?

 

[JPivlit]

A built-in AI feature called Nature Intelligence

Oh gimme a break 🤦‍♂️

 

[IIGS User]

My boss will definitely install this at my cubicle.

Mine would probably install it in the commode with a stopwatch to record how much time you spend on the throne so they can dock your pay.

 

[randolorian]

What an invasion of their privacy.

 

[Amiriteoramirite]

Kickstarter? LOL!

 

[JungleNYC]

This is cute! nice

 

[name99]

Oh gimme a break 🤦‍♂️

That's a dumb reaction!

Image recognition is a well-established AI technology, and obviously the primary value in a product like this is that it watches continually, and selects the few minutes a day that interesting events (defined however you want -- for example by presence of an animal or insect or bird).

I for one am delighted when animals show up on the cameras around my house, and wish the cameras captured them more often. But a camera that's "optimized" for detecting humans does a lousy job of capturing furry critters running close to the ground.