Infrared imaging technology for non-invasive measurement of beehive colony size to optimize pollination contracts
A proprietary software platform that uses infrared imagery and physics-based modeling to quantitatively assess bee colony size inside hives. The technology replaces manual hive inspections with automated, non-invasive measurements, enabling growers and beekeepers to set accurate pollination contract prices and reduce over-renting of hives. Validated through NSF SBIR Phase I and II grants and multiple paid field trials across three seasons.
Overview
This technology provides a non-invasive method for measuring bee colony size inside beehives using infrared (IR) imagery combined with biological, physics, and statistical modeling. Colony size is a critical metric in pollination assessment, directly influencing contract pricing between growers and beekeepers. Today, pollination is managed without precision, leading growers to frequently over-rent bees, an increasingly costly problem as pollination expenses rise. By delivering quantitative hive strength measurements, the platform enables data-driven decisions that improve pollination efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs for both beekeepers and growers.
The solution is particularly relevant to seed and crop production operations, such as almond, sunflower, and berry cultivation, where pollination outcomes directly affect yield and revenue.
Technical specifications
How it works:
- An image recognition model automatically locates the hive within each IR image
- Thermal values are extracted from the identified hive region
- A physics-based model describes the relationship between hive thermodynamics and the resident bee population
- The combined biological, physics, and statistical framework translates thermal patterns into colony size estimates
Key features:
- Non-invasive measurement that eliminates the need for manual hive opening and inspection
- Quantitative colony size assessment, going beyond traditional qualitative alive/dead IR checks
- Smartphone-based mobile applications for field-friendly data capture
- Applicable to standard hives as well as plastic and nuc (smaller) hive configurations
- Data analytics layer that supports pollination contract pricing and hive placement decisions
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed through NSF SBIR Phase I and Phase II grants and has been validated across several paid field trials spanning three seasons. The current physics model aligns with observed thermal sensor and IR data, and predictive power testing is underway. Upcoming validation includes field trials in almonds, followed by expanded testing on sunflower seeds and berries using both standard and plastic or nuc hive types. The underlying technology has been transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Carl Hayden Bee Research Center for continued development and use.
About The Bee Corp
The Bee Corp. was an Indianapolis-based agricultural technology company that developed Verifli, a proprietary software platform designed to optimize crop pollination. The system utilized infrared imagery, data analytics, and smartphone-based mobile applications to non-invasively measure hive strength and bee colony size. By replacing traditional, labor-intensive manual inspections with these automated diagnostic tools, the technology enabled commercial beekeepers and growers to make data-driven management decisions regarding hive health and placement. The company was founded in 2016 by Indiana University alumni Ellie Symes and Wyatt Wells and operated for eight years before dissolving in 2024.
This technology was particularly valuable to commercial growers, such as almond farmers in California, who rely on healthy bee populations to sustain crop yields. By providing accurate insights into hive health, the solution helped reduce operational costs for beekeepers and improved the efficiency of pollination services. Throughout its operation, the startup raised over $3 million in total investment and grant funding, including support from the National Science Foundation. Following the company's dissolution, its Verifli technology was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Carl Hayden Bee Research Center for further use and development.
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