ATHINA – AuTonomous endangered Habitat IdentificatioN And protection

ATHINA has been selected during the TALOS Open Call. The project addresses the need for real-time, automated biodiversity monitoring and protection in land-based PV (LPV) plants, aligning with TALOS’s focus to enhance the sustainability of PV applications while providing environmental benefits, in support of the EU’s sustainability goals.

ATHINA leverages computer vision AI models, using CCTV and drone feeds, to detect and identify in real time flora-fauna species populations in LPV plants, and at the same time, creates and maintains a comprehensive baseline biodiversity database. While existing approaches are reactive, ATHINA introduces a proactive, automated solution, producing instant location-aware alerts, actively communicating with robots operating within PV plants through the TALOS platform. This integration enables collaborative mission planning and decision-making with multiple LPV robots, preventing disturbances to protected plants and animals.  The project also establishes biodiversity risk forecasting with the use of predictive analytics based on migration patterns and environmental trends, enabling proactive responses to ecological challenges.  ATHINA is expected to benefit local communities by safeguarding ecosystems near PV sites integral to agriculture and recreation, and reduce compliance costs for PV operators through automated biodiversity monitoring.

For additional information, you may visit the TALOS website and read the ATHINA flyer.