DTI:
Bird Deterrence System

Timeline

Jan 2025 - Apr 2025

Context

School project - SUTD

Tools

Blender Unity (C#) Prototyping Arduino

*Video editing, wiring, physical prototype and mechanisms by teammates

Overview

We were tasked with identifying a real issue within SUTD and focused on the recurring problem of birds entering the canteen and taking food. Through on-site observation and case studies, we confirmed frequent occurrences, including birds approaching food even in the presence of humans.

The project explores a non-invasive deterrence system that maintains the open-air nature of the canteen while discouraging bird entry. It uses reflective origami-based structures along the perimeter, leveraging birds' aversion to reflective and visually disruptive materials. The design ensures no harm upon contact through lightweight, soft construction.

The system is sensor-triggered, deploying or opening when bird presence is detected. Beyond function, it also acts as a potential environmental installation that transforms the perimeter into a dynamic visual display.

My Role

01 Site Model Development - Built a scaled spatial model of the canteen in Blender, using Mixamo human characters as reference to ensure accurate human-scale proportions and placement.

02 Mechanism Testing & Integration Support - Tested components to determine wiring and placement requirements, and communicated connection guidelines for the electronics team to implement within the frame structure.

03 Arduino Programming - Implemented and calibrated servo motors and PIR sensor input to control system activation and response behaviour.

04 Simulation & Visualization (Unity) - Created a simple Unity scene using collision triggers and object tags to simulate system response when a bird is detected.

Site Model