Koala Detection & Tracking System | Federation University

Jun 2024 - Jun 2025

Koala Detection & Tracking System | Federation University
Field testing at Victorian operational plantation
Author
Binh Nguyen
May 31, 2024

Led end-to-end architecture for a multi-sensor tracking system to protect koalas during forestry operations in Victoria, owning system design and cross-discipline integration across mechanical, electrical, and software teams, from specification through field qualification.

  • Specified, procured, and integrated the complete sensor-actuator chain: thermal cameras, laser range finders, gimbal systems, embedded controllers, and GNSS modules; validated through structured lab and field testing
  • Developed telemetry and command interfaces for real-time thermal video streaming and target data exchange between onboard systems and the ground control station
  • Developed gimbal control algorithms, AI-powered object detection, and target localisation through sensor fusion (laser + GNSS)
Thermal-based koala detection
Thermal-based koala detection

Achievement: Delivered a complete integrated tracking system with autonomous target following and real-time telemetry, successfully qualified through field testing at an operational plantation.