N※N

Rosh Hashana meets Technion science: AI beehives and robotic bees - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. -and-robotic-bees-jewish-telegraphic-agency.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 11:56 GMT by Jewish Telegraphic Agency
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Rosh Hashanah Meets Technion Science: AI, Beehives and Robotic Bees

When the American Technion Society (ATS) hosted its annual Rosh Hashanah celebration this week, the evening was far more than a festive gathering. It was a showcase of cutting‑edge research from Israel’s flagship engineering university, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and a bold glimpse into the future of agriculture, environmental stewardship and the next generation of robotics.

A New Year, A New Frontier

The event, held at the ATS headquarters in New York, opened with a traditional Shofar blast that set a reverent tone for the night. The hosts – co‑founders Sarah Rosen and David Levy – welcomed attendees with an overview of the Technion’s recent breakthroughs and how they align with the Jewish values of stewardship (tikkun olam) and lifelong learning.

Rosen explained that the American Technion Society had partnered with several Technion research labs for the past two years, providing grants for student projects and supporting the establishment of an annual scholarship for Israeli students pursuing graduate studies in the United States. “The Rosh Hashanah event is the perfect moment to celebrate that partnership,” she said. “It’s about bridging faith and science, tradition and innovation.”

AI in the Hive: Protecting the Bees

The first highlight was a keynote by Dr. Yael Katz, a leading AI researcher at the Technion’s School of Computer Science and Engineering. Dr. Katz unveiled a system that combines wireless sensor networks with deep‑learning algorithms to monitor the health of commercial beehives in real time.

“The global decline in bee populations threatens food security worldwide,” Dr. Katz told the audience. “Our platform uses temperature, humidity, and acoustic sensors to detect early warning signs of colony collapse. The AI models, trained on thousands of hive recordings, can predict pest infestations or queen loss with 93 % accuracy.”

Attendees were shown a live demo from a partner Israeli company, ApisTech, whose smart hives have been deployed in the Galilee and are now being tested in New York’s suburban farms. Dr. Katz emphasized the dual benefit of her work: improving crop yields and creating a data‑driven ecosystem for farmers.

Robotic Bees: When Drones Become Pollinators

The most talked‑about segment of the evening featured the Bee Bot, a tiny, autonomous drone designed to emulate the flight patterns and pollination habits of a honeybee. Developed by Professor Moshe Elad in the Technion’s Institute of Robotics and Bio‑inspired Machines, the Bee Bot was a live demonstration that captivated the room.

“The idea was to create a machine that could navigate the complex environment of a flower field,” Elad explained. “We used advanced machine‑vision and swarm‑behavior algorithms so that multiple Bee Bots can coordinate to cover an entire orchard.”

During the demo, a swarm of ten Bee Bots flew in and out of a model apple tree, dispensing a tiny amount of synthetic pollen with precision. The audience could see the data streamed to a tablet, showing real‑time path‑planning and flower visitation counts.

Elad’s team has secured a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further develop the technology for commercial agriculture. “In the long term, robotic pollinators could offset the shortage of natural bees, particularly in regions facing climate change pressures,” he said.

Community Impact: From Campus to the Table

A panel discussion followed, featuring community leaders, agronomists, and a representative from the American Technion Society’s Youth Innovation Program. They explored how the research presented at the event could translate into tangible benefits for both Israeli and American communities.

A key takeaway was the emphasis on “human‑centered design.” One panelist noted that while the Bee Bot is a marvel of engineering, its adoption hinges on affordability and ease of deployment for small‑scale farmers. The panel concluded with a call for collaborative funding mechanisms, suggesting that the ATS could act as a bridge between Israeli start‑ups and U.S. investors.

Closing Reflections

As the night drew to a close, the Shofar was played again, echoing the theme of renewal. The American Technion Society’s President, Miriam Goldstein, reflected on the significance of bringing together faith, family, and scientific progress.

“The message is clear,” Goldstein said. “We are entering a new era where technology serves humanity’s highest ideals. Rosh Hashanah is a time of introspection and hope; this evening’s innovations are the tangible promise of that hope.”

The event not only highlighted the Technion’s pioneering work in AI, robotics, and environmental science but also reinforced the powerful partnership between the American Technion Society and Israel’s technological community. As the attendees departed, many carried with them a renewed sense of purpose—an appreciation that the future of food security, ecological stewardship, and scientific advancement can indeed be part of the Jewish tradition of kavod (respect) and chesed (kindness).

For more information about the Technion’s AI and robotics research, visit the Technion’s official website at https://www.technion.ac.il. The Bee Bot project can be followed in detail on the Institute of Robotics’ page: https://www.technion.ac.il/robotics. And to learn more about the American Technion Society’s scholarship program, head over to https://www.americantechnion.org.