BioacousticsIn field test
Kiro: Listen to the night
Kiro is the bioacoustic sensor that detects the presence of bats by listening to their ultrasound. Continuous, automatic and non-invasive monitoring of nocturnal biodiversity.
Field sensors
- 4 m
- Installation height
- 24h solar
- Power supply
- Multi-operator SIM
- Connectivity
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Listen to the ultrasound from the field test
Bats orient themselves and hunt with ultrasonic pulses, largely inaudible to the human ear. Kiro records them and makes them visible and audible: that's the beauty of it, we can't hear them, but Kiro can. Real example from the field test: two ultrasonic bat pulses detected by Kiro.
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What is Kiro
Kiro builds on the experience of 3Bee's bioacoustic sensors, Spectrum and Birdy. It is designed to monitor bats without any disturbance to the observed population: it listens, emits nothing and requires no technicians in the field. “We already had the foundations with Spectrum and Birdy. With Kiro the challenge is the leap from audible sound to ultrasound: a field with very few studies and libraries. It's the most fascinating challenge for our technical team.” (Niccolò Calandri, CTO 3Bee)
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Why bats
Bats are among the best indicators of the health of biodiversity.
- 01
Bioindicators
Excellent indicators of the state of biodiversity: many Italian species are at risk (Red Lists). - 02
Everywhere
Present in cities, countryside and natural environments, wherever there is food and shelter. - 03
Natural control
Nocturnal insectivores: they feed on insects, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests (such as the brown marmorated stink bug), natural regulators of the ecosystem. Their presence signals the presence of insects. - 04
Shelters
They live in natural cavities (trunks, caves) and urban environments: farmhouses, attics, bat boxes.
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How It Works: Echolocation
Although they can see, bats orient themselves, move and hunt mainly thanks to echolocation (biosonar). They emit ultrasonic pulses that bounce off surfaces and come back, building a true acoustic image of the environment. Kiro "listens" to these pulses and detects the presence of bats passively and non-invasively.
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Installation
The sensor is placed in the area to be monitored. - 02
Pulse emission
Bats emit ultrasonic pulses to orient themselves and hunt in the environment. - 03
Passive detection
Kiro detects the pulses passively, emitting nothing and never disturbing the population. - 04
Real-time data
The data are accessible in real time on the XNatura platform dashboard.
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Key Features
Unlike other sensors that count individuals, Kiro is automatic and real-time: that is its strength.
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Ultrasound bioacoustics
Detects bats through their biosonar, passively and non-invasively. - 02
24h solar autonomy
Integrated solar panel that recharges the sensor: continuous operation day and night. - 03
Real-time data
Multi-operator SIM for continuous data transmission to the XNatura platform. - 04
Zero disturbance
No technician in the field: the monitored population is never disturbed. Fully automatic.
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Launch Timeline
The path leading to the official launch of Kiro, on September 1, 2026.
- 01
Today · Field test
Field test in agricultural and semi-natural environments. - 02
Summer 2026 · Waitlist open
We're opening the waitlist: leave your expression of interest and be among the first to receive Kiro at launch. - 03
September 1, 2026 · Official launch
Official launch of Kiro, available for purchase. - 04
Future
Kiro 2.0: Species recognition.
From the field · Tuscan Maremma, Italy
What Kiro recorded at night in the Tuscan Maremma, Italy
17,991 ultrasound recordings from 4 sensors between June 2026 and September 2026, in field test. Bats call between 20 and 120 kHz, far above hearing: the clip below is the sensor's recording brought into the audible band, and the spectrogram shows the calls as pulses. Species recognition is still being trained, so no name yet.
- 17,991
- recordings
- 4
- Kiro sensors
- 107
- nights
September 10, 2026
July 15, 2026
Real platform data, exported on September 23, 2026. The clips are the sensors' original recordings, cut to a few seconds and levelled in volume, nothing else.
Field sensors
Kiro
- Installation height
- 4 m
- Power supply
- 24h solar
- Connectivity
- Multi-operator SIM
- Detection
- Ultrasound
- Continuous monitoring
- 24/7
- Non-invasive
- 100%
- Field technicians
- 0
Field sensors
Kiro in the field
Images from the field test in agricultural and semi-natural environments.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does bat detection work?
Kiro detects the ultrasonic pulses that bats emit for echolocation (biosonar). Detection is passive: the sensor emits nothing and does not disturb the observed population in any way.
Does Kiro disturb the bats?
No. Kiro only passively listens to the bats' pulses, without emitting sounds and without requiring technicians in the field. Monitoring is completely non-invasive.
What makes Kiro different from other sensors?
Other systems count individuals but do not provide real-time data. Kiro is automatic and real-time: it continuously transmits data to the XNatura platform.
How is the sensor powered?
Kiro is equipped with an integrated solar panel that guarantees continuous operation, day and night, with no need for maintenance.
When will Kiro be available?
Kiro is currently in field testing in agricultural and semi-natural environments. The official launch is scheduled for September 1, 2026, with availability for purchase from September 2026.
What is Kiro?
Kiro is the bioacoustic sensor that detects the presence of bats by listening to their ultrasound. Continuous, automatic and non-invasive monitoring of nocturnal biodiversity.
How does Kiro work?
Listen to the ultrasound from the field test. Bats orient themselves and hunt with ultrasonic pulses, largely inaudible to the human ear. Kiro records them and makes them visible and audible: that's the beauty of it, we can't hear them, but Kiro can. Real example from the field test: two ultrasonic bat pulses detected by Kiro.
What are the technical specifications of Kiro?
Installation height: 4 m · Power supply: 24h solar · Connectivity: Multi-operator SIM · Detection: Ultrasound · Continuous monitoring: 24/7 · Non-invasive: 100% · Field technicians: 0
Want to be among the first to monitor bats with Kiro?
Leave your email: we'll keep you updated at the launch on September 1, 2026.