https://www.instantdetect.com/
By providing real-time insight without reliance on patchy phone signal, Instant Detect can make a major impact in wildlife conservation – whether that’s helping scientists studying penguins in Antarctica, conservationists monitoring Critically Endangered gorillas in Gabon, or enabling rangers in Kenya to rapidly respond to threats to rhinos.
Here at ZSL, we’ve shown how this technology is able to change the game for conservationists working across the planet
Instant Detect has moved into the next stage of its global role out, overseen by Team hack The Planet, a non-profit using engineering power to contribute to a better world.
Connecting the wild with Instant Detect 2.0
Instant Detect 2.0 is a wildlife, environment and threat monitoring system designed specifically to meet conservationists’ and wildlife rangers’ demanding needs. The Instant Detect 2.0 system consists of a network of rugged, lightweight, battery powered cameras and sensors that can be placed in the most remote, unconnected and harsh landscapes to gather and transmit images and data for near real-time insights. This has applications for protecting threatened species from poachers, monitoring wildlife health, managing human/wildlife conflict and enabling scientific research like monitoring the impacts of ocean plastics and climate change on uninhabited archipelagos.
Wildlife monitoring with Instant Detect 2.0
Instant Detect 2.0 was designed and developed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) between 2016 and 2024. ZSL was uniquely positioned to develop such a revolutionary system by leveraging its decades of conservation expertise, cutting-edge wildlife science and its wide network of partners. The innovative and user-friendly design was achieved by embedding ZSL’s development team in the field with wildlife rangers conducting wildlife protection patrols, and with ZSL’s field conservationists deploying wildlife monitoring equipment. This user-led design approach has ensured that the system is robust to survive in the wild, is easy to use by non-technical users, and fulfils remote monitoring requirements.
How does Instant Detect 2.0 work?
An Instant Detect 2.0 system consists of a Base Station and multiple Camera and Sensor Endpoints. When a Camera captures an image or a Sensor Endpoint receives data, it sends the information to the Base Station using Long Range (LoRa) radio. The Base Station then transmits the images and data to the cloud using Iridium satellite connectivity. An intuitive internet-based platform called Instant Detect Cloud enables (near) real-time viewing of the images and data, as well as easy management and analysis. Data is secure and only the owners of a system have access to the data and images collected.
A collaborative effort
ZSL collaborated with leading technology developers and satellite communications partners to build the system, including Cambridge Design Partnership, Cool Jacket Coding, Bartington Instruments, Octophin Digital, Ground Control, and Iridium. Using cutting-edge Internet-of-Things networking techniques and satellite connectivity enables Instant Detect 2.0 to provide near real-time monitoring and threat detection over a wide area when deployed in completely unconnected landscapes.
Finally, ZSL spent years testing and optimising the system to ensure it that when it was deployed in the remote field it would just work. This system testing and optimisation was initially supported by the keeper teams at Whipsnade Zoo, and then in real field conditions across the globe with ZSL’s conservation field programmes and other partners.
What’s next?
Instant Detect 2.0 is truly a conservation technology designed by conservationists for conservationists. Thanks to the many donors who supported this project including the USAID Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge, Players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the National Geographic Society, and an anonymous donor.
As of April 2025, Hack the Planet is the sole supplier and developer of the Instant Detect 2.0 system on licence. Hack the Planet is a Dutch non-profit organisation that builds technologies to tackle urgent environmental challenges. With a strong focus on practical, field-tested solutions, Hack the Planet brings together developers, engineers, and conservationists to create innovative tools that can be deployed in the most demanding conditions on Earth. As the licensed supplier and developer of Instant Detect 2.0, Hack the Planet is committed to ensuring that this critical conservation technology continues to evolve, remains accessible, and delivers real-world impact for frontline conservation efforts around the globe.
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