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Roadside AI Sensors Detect Animals, Warn Drivers to Avoid Deadly Collisions
4 Nov
Summary
- Roadside sensors detect animals entering travel lanes, triggering warning signs
- System identifies 97% of cassowaries, reducing collision risk
- AI component allows the technology to continuously improve itself
In November 2025, a team of researchers from Australia unveiled a groundbreaking roadside technology that leverages artificial intelligence to protect wildlife and drivers from deadly collisions. The "Large Animal Activated Roadside Monitoring and Alert" (LAARMA) system, developed over the past 12 months, is capable of detecting animals entering the travel lane and triggering flashing warning signs to alert motorists.
During a field test in Queensland, the LAARMA system was able to identify 97% of the endangered cassowaries, a large, flightless bird that can weigh up to 175 pounds. By warning drivers of the animals' presence, the technology has significantly reduced the risk of collisions, which can be as devastating as "hitting a refrigerator," according to project co-lead Ioni Lewis.
What sets LAARMA apart is its AI component, which allows the system to continuously learn and improve its performance. "It's self-supervised," explained Kunming Li from the University of Sydney's Australian Centre for Robotics. "Every time it spots a cassowary, it learns something new about it." This adaptive capability makes the technology a valuable tool in the ongoing effort to protect wildlife and prevent costly, dangerous accidents.
The LAARMA system's code is available for free to highway managers worldwide, paving the way for its widespread adoption and the potential to save countless lives, both human and animal.
