Bird Monitoring AI Software Witnesses Increased Demand
Spoor, an innovative startup founded in Oslo in 2021, has garnered significant attention for its advanced bird monitoring software designed to mitigate the impact of wind turbines on avian populations. With its technology now proven effective, the demand from wind farm operators and other industries is rapidly rising.
The software leverages computer vision to monitor and identify various bird species and their migration habits within a 2.5-kilometer radius (approximately 1.5 miles) using standard high-resolution cameras. This capability enables wind farm operators to strategize the placement of turbines more intelligently, allowing adjustments such as slowing down or halting operations during critical migration periods.
According to Helseth, co-founder of Spoor, the industry faces mounting regulatory expectations, yet lacks adequate tools for bird tracking. Presently, many rely on traditional methods, such as field observations with binoculars, to assess bird fatalities at wind sites.
Since securing seed funding in 2024, Spoor has significantly enhanced its capabilities, doubling its detection range from 1 kilometer to 2.5 kilometers and achieving a bird identification accuracy rate of approximately 96%. The company’s in-house ornithologist aids in refining its AI model, ensuring it can accurately recognize an expanding range of bird species.
With active engagements across three continents and partnerships with over 20 leading energy firms, Spoor is also branching into sectors like aviation and aquaculture. Notably, the company has teamed up with mining giant Rio Tinto to monitor bats.
Although there has been interest in adapting the technology for tracking drones and other similar-sized objects, Helseth emphasizes that the focus remains on avian species for now. He humorously noted, “Drones are of course a plastic bird in our mind,” indicating a clear distinction in their operational priorities.
Recently, Spoor successfully completed an €8 million ($9.3 million) Series A funding round, led by SET Ventures, with contributions from Ørsted Ventures and Superorganism, alongside other strategic investors. As regulatory scrutiny increases—such as the recent shutdown of a French wind farm due to its environmental impact—Helseth anticipates that the demand for sustainable monitoring solutions will continue to rise.
“Our mission is to facilitate coexistence between industry and nature,” Helseth stated. Reflecting on the future, he added, “While we’ve made significant strides, we recognize that we’re still a small startup with much to accomplish. Our objective is to solidify our role within the wind sector and establish ourselves as a global leader in addressing these crucial environmental challenges.”
