Artificial Intelligence Performance Identifying Rodents In Images From Connected Cameras

In 1992 Rentokil launched Mouse Alert, a trap with wireless communications. In 2004 remotely connected pest devices (radio communication and connected to Internet) were deployed for the first time, starting Rentokil’s PestConnect system. In 2023, after several years of development, we incorporated connected cameras combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using Machine Learning (ML), images taken by these cameras, specially designed for pest control, are analysed in order to autonomously identify pests. This process, with no direct human intervention, is not perfect. It is essential to find ways to improve the ML accuracy through direct training and pre- and post-processing of the results. Since AI does not result in 100% accuracy, a “human in the loop” is important to review output, measure the accuracy of the model and provide ongoing feedback and training. Around two million images have been taken by these cameras, with about 5% reviewed by a human.