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GooglePatent applicationRobots & automationInterest 3/10

Google patents system that counts individual insects in a stream

Google describes a machine that takes a mixed flow of insects and liquid, separates them into a single line, and uses a sensor to count each one individually. The system uses a processor to track the total number of insects detected as they pass through the channel.

Why it mattersThis could be useful for automated farms or labs that need precise counts of small creatures for research or breeding purposes.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for continuous insects sensing are described. One example method includes receiving a flow at a singulator, the flow comprising one or more insects; singulating the insects into a single-file flow of insects; sensing, using a sensor, insects within the single-file flow of insects; and incrementing a counter based on each sensed insects in the single-file flow of insects. One example system includes a channel defining a flow path for a flow of insects; a singulator positioned within the flow path and arranged to receive the flow of insects within the channel, the singulator configured to singulate the insects into a single-file flow of insects; a sensor positioned and arranged to sense insects in the single-file flow; and a processor in communication with the sensor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the processor configured to execute processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium to receive sensor signals from the sensor; and count a number of insects based on the received sensor signals.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: receiving a flow at a singulator, the flow comprising a liquid and a plurality of immature or adult insects; singulating, using a singulation device comprising one or more channels, the immature or adult insects into a single-file flow of immature or adult insects; sensing, using a sensor, immature or adult insects within the single-file flow of immature or adult insects; and incrementing a counter based on each sensed insect larva in the single-file flow of immature or adult insects.

Facts

Company
Google (Google LLC)
Official title
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS INSECT SENSING
Publication number
US20260262616A1
Application number
19451568
Filed
Jan 16, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
29

Classified under

A01K 67/36 Human necessitiesG06Q 50/02 Physics & computingA01K 29/00 Human necessities
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.