Award finalist set to free koalas of bulky tracking devices

LX Design House has developed a koala tracking device that is helping protect the threatened species. With koala populations and genetic diversity in Queensland and NSW dramatically decreasing, the device is the only one on the market designed specifically for koalas and their unique environment.

Combating problems of previous devices featuring bulky electronic devices fitted around the neck, the K-Tracker is a pendant-style device allowing koalas to tuck their chins to their chests when asleep, as they naturally do. It provides high-accuracy, real-time data allowing research teams to monitor the health and behaviour of koalas via a web interface.

The project is one of forty-nine finalists in the annual Sydney Engineering Excellence Awards, with winners to be announced on 19 September 2014.

Steve Finlay, general manager of Engineers Australia’s Sydney division said the 2014 entries showcased the diversity of award finalists, all of which are engineering solutions to common problems.

“This project espouses the diversity of the Excellence Awards; they are not simply recognising engineers who build bridges and buildings, the awards recognise engineers who solve many problems across a diverse range of industries affecting our communities,” said Finlay.

The K-Tracker device monitors the health and the activity level of koalas as well as detecting behaviour modification induced by the construction of large infrastructures in their natural habitat. It is currently being used on hundreds of koalas in Queensland and will play a part in ensuring that iconic koalas can coexist successfully with necessary state infrastructures across Australia.