Overview
Whale Achoo is a 4th year engineering capstone project that aims to further the long-term preservation efforts of endangered whale species such as the North Atlantic Wright and Humpback whales. Whale Achoo allows students to apply what they have learned throughout their engineering degree while also supporting whale health and the environment. This capstone works in collaboration with Gesundheit, Carleton’s graduate level autonomous blow collection drone project. Whale blow is the excrement ejected from whales as they exhale. Collecting whale blow, analogous to a human nasal swab, it can be used to determine the key genetic factors such as sex and health. Whale Achoo will act as a learning platform for Gesundheit by simulating the blows from different whale species and allowing for the testing and refinement of Gesundheit without the risk of impacting whale health or stress. This collaboration contributes directly to Canada’s Ocean Protection Plan’s goal of protecting and preserving marine life.
The Background
Whale Achoo’s cause is the preservation and protection of endangered whale species. By contributing to Whale Achoo, donors will support the development of technology that enables researchers to gather vital whale health data with minimal disruption to them. With whale populations threatened by climate change, ship traffic, and environmental hazards, now more than ever, we need to develop a better understanding of their health and wellness to craft effective conservation policies to safekeep their populations from disappearing. Your support will help us empower marine scientists with new tools for non-invasive whale monitoring, giving whales a better chance to survive and thrive in our oceans.
The Rollout
The funds will be used in conjunction with funding from the Kenneth M. Molson foundation to support the continued development and integration of Whale Achoo. This includes subsidizing some of the costs of essential tasks such waterproofing the onboard electrical system, ruggedizing the floatation and housing set up, and refining our drone whale tracking software. These funds will enable us to test and refine Whale Achoo to get it ready for the first of many sea trials by the spring of 2027. By funding these key areas, donors will help us bridge the gap between lab development and real-world applications.
The Impact
Whale Achoo provides a unique opportunity to advance marine wildlife conservation while tackling a complex engineering challenge. Academically, this project allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to a multidisciplinary, real-world application that directly supports Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. For the broader community, the impact extends to environmental protection by enabling scientists to better monitor and understand whale health. By donating, you are investing in the next generation of engineers through invaluable hands-on learning, while simultaneously advancing humane, non-invasive methods of whale research.