AI-powered insect protein production

We are improving the understanding of insect welfare through a reliable monitoring system that observes and assesses the feeding behavior and vitality of black soldier fly larvae, enabling more precise control of their growth and development. This approach is currently being pursued within the Fraunhofer AHEAD program through the intrapreneurship project “DIGIINSECT.”

Potentials of insect larvae farming as an alternative protein source

Insect larvae present a great opportunity to make animal nutrition more sustainable. It is rich in protein and essential nutrients, serving as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional livestock feed sources such as soy and fishmeal, which have a high environmental impact. By integrating digital technologies, insect farming can be further optimized through precise monitoring of growth conditions, health, and productivity.

Solution

Our computer-based larval condition monitoring system detects stress and discomfort in larvae, laying the foundation for new quality assurance standards and improved biomass yield. The core of the system is an AI-powered monitoring platform that offers adaptive environmental analysis and versatile larval condition detection. Users, such as larva producers or fatteners, gain detailed insights into larval behavior, including deviations, and receive real-time alerts to enable early intervention.