Illustration of a bat with a sensor flying over a network of data-collecting ground stations.

Bat-Tech: How Tiny Sensors Are Revolutionizing Wildlife Tracking

Lena Voss in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the groundbreaking sensor tech that's unlocking the secrets of bat behavior and reshaping our understanding of ecosystems"

For over half a century, the field of biologging – tracking animals remotely – has been driven by technological innovation. What started as simple observation has evolved into a sophisticated, interdisciplinary science thanks to advances in digital transceivers and miniature sensors. This technology is now capable of revealing intricate details about animal behavior, transforming fields like movement ecology, sociobiology, and conservation.

The challenge? Balancing performance with practicality. Advanced tracking devices, such as GPS tags, offer incredible data collection capabilities but come with a significant trade-off: increased weight. Larger batteries, necessary for more complex functions, can burden animals, altering their behavior and even affecting their survival. This is especially critical for smaller species, where tag weight must remain a tiny fraction of their body mass.

Enter the world of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Scientists are now deploying these compact, energy-efficient systems to monitor even the smallest creatures. This article dives into a groundbreaking project called BATS, an Adaptive Ultra Low Power Sensor Network designed to track the elusive lives of bats. We'll explore how this innovative technology is pushing the boundaries of animal tracking and opening new doors for ecological research.

BATS: A New Era of Bat Tracking

Illustration of a bat with a sensor flying over a network of data-collecting ground stations.

The BATS project (Dynamic Adaptable Applications for Bat Tracking by Embedded Communicating Systems) tackled the challenge of creating a lightweight, long-lasting sensor network capable of revealing bat behavior in unprecedented detail. The system combines several key components:

A tiny, multi-functional sensor node attaches to the bat itself. It's designed for minimal weight and maximum energy efficiency.

Communication between these nodes allows for tracking bat encounters and social interactions.
A network of ground nodes records flight trajectories with high precision.
A long-range telemetry system transmits data from bats even outside the main network's range.

What truly sets BATS apart is its adaptive nature. The system intelligently adjusts its functionality based on the bat's current situation, optimizing energy use without sacrificing valuable data. This flexibility is crucial for maximizing the lifespan of the sensor nodes and gathering comprehensive insights into bat behavior.

The Future of Animal Tracking

The BATS project demonstrates the incredible potential of combining cutting-edge technology with ecological research. By creating a system that is both powerful and adaptable, scientists are unlocking new insights into the lives of bats and paving the way for a deeper understanding of our natural world. This approach could revolutionize how we study and protect vulnerable species in a rapidly changing environment.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/s18103343, Alternate LINK

Title: Bats: Adaptive Ultra Low Power Sensor Network For Animal Tracking

Subject: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Journal: Sensors

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Niklas Duda, Thorsten Nowak, Markus Hartmann, Michael Schadhauser, Björn Cassens, Peter Wägemann, Muhammad Nabeel, Simon Ripperger, Sebastian Herbst , Klaus Meyer-Wegener, Frieder Mayer, Falko Dressler, Wolfgang Schröder-Preikschat, Rüdiger Kapitza, Jörg Robert, Jörn Thielecke, Robert Weigel, Alexander Kölpin

Published: 2018-10-07

Everything You Need To Know

How does the BATS project track bat behavior and social interactions?

The BATS project (Dynamic Adaptable Applications for Bat Tracking by Embedded Communicating Systems) utilizes a network of tiny, multi-functional sensor nodes attached to bats. These nodes communicate with each other to track bat encounters and social interactions. Ground nodes record flight trajectories with high precision, and a long-range telemetry system transmits data even outside the network's range. The adaptive nature of BATS is key, as it intelligently adjusts functionality to optimize energy use while maximizing data collection.

How has biologging evolved, and what are the main challenges in balancing performance and practicality in animal tracking?

Biologging has evolved from simple observation to a sophisticated science using digital transceivers and miniature sensors. These advancements enable the collection of detailed data about animal behavior. The challenge lies in balancing performance with practicality, as advanced tracking devices like GPS tags, while capable of collecting incredible data, require larger batteries, increasing weight and potentially affecting animal behavior and survival, especially in smaller species.

What are Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and how does the BATS project use them to improve animal tracking?

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) offer a solution to the limitations of traditional tracking methods by enabling the monitoring of even the smallest creatures. The BATS project uses a WSN to track bats, employing compact, energy-efficient sensor nodes. This approach minimizes the impact on the animal while still providing valuable data on their movements and interactions. The implications are profound, as it allows for more detailed and accurate studies of animal behavior without compromising their well-being.

Why is the adaptive nature of the BATS system important for tracking bats?

The adaptive nature of the BATS system is crucial because it allows the system to intelligently adjust its functionality based on the bat's current situation. This optimization is important for maximizing the lifespan of the sensor nodes and gathering comprehensive insights into bat behavior. Without this adaptability, the sensor nodes would quickly run out of power, limiting the amount of data that can be collected. The system ensures that energy is used efficiently, allowing for continuous monitoring and a more complete picture of bat behavior.

What are the broader implications of the BATS project for ecological research and conservation?

The BATS project demonstrates the potential of combining technology with ecological research to understand and protect vulnerable species. By creating adaptable systems, scientists can gain new insights into the lives of animals in changing environments. The BATS project uses ultra-low power sensor networks to track bat behavior, revealing migration patterns and social lives. This knowledge is essential for effective conservation efforts and for understanding the impact of environmental changes on bat populations.