Always Innovating
Category: National. Posted: 17 September 2024
NZ AutoTraps Always Innovating: The Dave Galloway Innovation Award
Continuous trap improvement has won NZ AutoTraps the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute’s Dave Galloway Innovation Award.
The Award nomination from Otago/Southland Branch, noted that since the first NZ AutoTraps prototypes were developed in 2016, the traps have been under continuous improvement. Each improvement has increased the original design’s effectiveness and durability to the extent that the current version of the AT220 is quite different from the plywood prototypes from where it all began.
The nomination said:
“There are limited resetting automatic traps around, so we are very lucky to have NZ AutoTraps invent and design an effective, simple-to-use, robust trap to work in trying conditions principally targeting possums but also picking off rodents and other predators.”
It noted that:
“NZ AutoTraps is continuing to experiment with different lures, and set parameters to improve the traps efficacy on rodents, mustelids and cats.
“The innovations within the AT220 such as day-safe mode, an app, sensors, the pump, lure pouch, the flowing long-lasting lure, battery, the shape and jaw action are uniquely designed.
“NZ AutoTraps’ AT520AI version continues the innovation with AI camera tech, to identify target pest animals verses non targets animals. The company is doing groundbreaking work on enabling the traps to work safely around some of New Zealand’s most precious indigenous species like Kaka and Kea.
“The company has now developed the AT230 that incorporates a microchip scanner to detect domestic chipped pets. This enables the trap to work safely in areas that domestic pets may frequent.”
NZBI president Rowan Sprague said “This award recognises innovation, which is critical in our sector. The innovation of NZ AutoTraps means that predator trapping is more efficient and safer, and it’s exciting that they are continuing to innovate and improve trapping technology.”
The Dave Galloway Innovation Award is named in memory of Life Member Dave Galloway. The Award recognises innovation in biosecurity. It encompasses work carried out with both vertebrates and invertebrates, terrestrial and aquatic.