Kauricone: Machine learning tackles the mundane, making our lives easier – IT Brief New Zealand
A New Zealand startup producing its own servers is expanding into the realm of artificial intelligence, creating machine learning solutions that carry out common tasks while relieving people of repetitive, unsatisfying work. Having spotted an opportunity for the development of low-cost, high-efficiency and environmentally sustainable hardware, Kauricone has more recently pivoted in a fascinating direction: creating software that thinks about mundane problems, so we dont have to. These tasks include identifying trash for improved recycling, looking at items on roads for automated safety, pest identification and in the ultimate alleviation of a notoriously sleep-inducing task counting sheep.
Managing director, founder and tech industry veteran Mike Milne says Kauricone products include application servers, cluster servers and internet of things servers. It was in this latter category that the notion emerged of applying machine learning at the networks edge.
Having already developed low-cost-low power edge hardware, we realised there was a big opportunity for the application of smart computing in some decidedly not-so-enjoyable everyday tasks, relates Milne. After all, we had all the basic building blocks already: the hardware, the programming capability, and with good mobile network coverage, the connectivity.
Situation
Work is just another name for tasks people would rather not do themselves, or that we cannot do for ourselves. And despite living in a fabulously advanced age, there is a persistent reality of all manner of tasks which must be done every day, but which dont require a particularly high level of engagement or even intelligence.
It is these tasks for which machine learning (ML) is quite often a highly promising solution. ML collects and analyses data by applying statistical analysis, and pattern matching, to learn from past experiences. Using the trained data, it provides reliable results, and people can stop doing the boring work, says Milne.
There is in fact more to it than meets the eye (so to speak) when it comes to computer image recognition. Thats why Capcha challenges are often little more than Identify all the images containing traffic lights: because distinguishing objects is hard for bots. ML overcomes the challenge through the training mentioned by Milne: the computer is shown thousands of images and learns which are hits, and which are misses.
Potentially, there are as many use cases as you have dull but necessary tasks in the world, Milne notes. So far, weve tackled a few. Rocks on roads are dangerous, but monitoring thousands of kilometers of tarmac comes at a cost. Construction waste is extensive, bad for the environment and should be managed better. Sheep are plentiful and not always in the right paddock. And pests put New Zealands biodiversity at risk.
Solution
Tackling each of these problems, Kauricone started with its own-developed RISC IoT server hardware as the base. Running Ubuntu and programmed with Python or other open-source languages, the servers typically feature 4GB memory and 128GB solid state storage, the solar-powered edge devices consume as little as 3 watts and run indefinitely on a single solar panel. This makes for a reliable, low-cost field-ready device, says Milne.
The Rocks on Roads project made clear the challenges of simple image identification, with Kauricone eventually running a training model around the clock for 8 days, gathering 35,000 iterations of rock images, which expanded to 3,000,000 identifiable traits (bear in mind, a human identifies a rock almost instantly, perhaps faster if hurled). With this training, the machine became very good at detecting rocks on the roads.
For a new project involving construction waste, the Kauricone IoT server will maintain a vigilant watch on the types and amounts of waste going into building-site skips. Trained to identify types of waste, the resulting data will be the basis for improving waste management and recycling or redirecting certain items for more responsible disposal.
Counting sheep isnt only a method for accelerating sleep time, its also an essential task for farmers across New Zealand. Thats not all as an ML exercise, it anticipates the potential for smarter stock management, as does the related pest identification test case pursued by Kauricone. The ever-watchful camera and supporting hardware manage several tasks: identifying individual animals, numbering them, and also monitoring grass levels, essential for ovine nourishment. Tested so far on a small flock, this application is ready for scale.
Results
Milne says the small test cases pursued by Kauricone to date are just the beginning and anticipates considerable potential for ML applications across all walks of life. There is literally no end to the number of daily tasks where computer vision and ML can alleviate our workload and contribute to improved efficiency and, ultimately, a better and more sustainable planet, he notes.
The Rocks on Roads project promises improved safety with a lower human overhead, reducing or eliminating the possibility of human error. Waste management is a multifaceted problem, where the employment of personnel is rendered difficult owing to simple economics (and potentially stultifying work); New Zealands primary sector is ripe for technologically powered performance improvements which could boost already impressive productivity through automation and improved control; and pest management can help the Department of Conservation and allied parties achieve better results using fewer resources.
Its early days yet, says Milne, But the results from these exploratory projects are promising. With the connectivity of ever-expanding cellular and low-power networks like SIGFOX and LoraWan, the enabling infrastructure is increasingly available even in remote places. And purpose-built low power hardware brings computing right to the edge. Now, its just a matter of identifying opportunities and creating the applications.
For more information visit Kauricone's website.
View original post here:
Kauricone: Machine learning tackles the mundane, making our lives easier - IT Brief New Zealand
- Infleqtion Unveils Contextual Machine Learning (CML) at GTC 2025, Powering AI Breakthroughs with NVIDIA CUDA-Q and Quantum-Inspired Algorithms - Yahoo... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Karlie Kloss' coding nonprofit offering free AI and machine learning workshop this weekend - KSDK.com - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Machine learning reveals distinct neuroanatomical signatures of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in cognitively unimpaired individuals -... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Machine learning analysis of cardiovascular risk factors and their associations with hearing loss - Nature.com - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Weekly Recap: Dual-Cure Inks, AI And Machine Learning Top This Weeks Stories - Ink World Magazine - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Network-based predictive models for artificial intelligence: an interpretable application of machine learning techniques in the assessment of... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Machine learning aids in detection of 'brain tsunamis' - University of Cincinnati - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- AI & Machine Learning in Database Management: Studying Trends and Applications with Nithin Gadicharla - Tech Times - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- MicroRNA Biomarkers and Machine Learning for Hypertension Subtyping - Physician's Weekly - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Machine Learning Pioneer Ramin Hasani Joins Info-Tech's "Digital Disruption" Podcast to Explore the Future of AI and Liquid Neural Networks... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Predicting HIV treatment nonadherence in adolescents with machine learning - News-Medical.Net - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- AI And Machine Learning In Ink And Coatings Formulation - Ink World Magazine - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Counting whales by eavesdropping on their chatter, with help from machine learning - Mongabay.com - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Associate Professor - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning job with GALGOTIAS UNIVERSITY | 390348 - Times Higher Education - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Innovative Machine Learning Tool Reveals Secrets Of Marine Microbial Proteins - Evrim Aac - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Exploring the role of breastfeeding, antibiotics, and indoor environments in preschool children atopic dermatitis through machine learning and hygiene... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Applying machine learning algorithms to explore the impact of combined noise and dust on hearing loss in occupationally exposed populations -... - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- 'We want them to be the creators': Karlie Kloss' coding nonprofit offering free AI and machine learning workshop this weekend - KSDK.com - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- New headset reads minds and uses AR, AI and machine learning to help people with locked-in-syndrome communicate with loved ones again - PC Gamer - March 22nd, 2025 [March 22nd, 2025]
- Enhancing cybersecurity through script development using machine and deep learning for advanced threat mitigation - Nature.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Machine learning-assisted wearable sensing systems for speech recognition and interaction - Nature.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Machine learning uncovers complexity of immunotherapy variables in bladder cancer - Hospital Healthcare - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Machine-learning algorithm analyzes gravitational waves from merging neutron stars in the blink of an eye - The University of Rhode Island - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Precision soil sampling strategy for the delineation of management zones in olive cultivation using unsupervised machine learning methods - Nature.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- AI in Esports: How Machine Learning is Transforming Anti-Cheat Systems in Esports - Jumpstart Media - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Whats that microplastic? Advances in machine learning are making identifying plastics in the environment more reliable - The Conversation Indonesia - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Application of machine learning techniques in GlaucomAI system for glaucoma diagnosis and collaborative research support - Nature.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Elucidating the role of KCTD10 in coronary atherosclerosis: Harnessing bioinformatics and machine learning to advance understanding - Nature.com - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Hugging Face Tutorial: Unleashing the Power of AI and Machine Learning - - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- Utilizing Machine Learning to Predict Host Stars and the Key Elemental Abundances of Small Planets - Astrobiology News - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- AI to the rescue: Study shows machine learning predicts long term recovery for anxiety with 72% accuracy - Hindustan Times - March 11th, 2025 [March 11th, 2025]
- New in 2025.3: Reducing false positives with Machine Learning - Emsisoft - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Abnormal FX Returns And Liquidity-Based Machine Learning Approaches - Seeking Alpha - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Sentiment analysis of emoji fused reviews using machine learning and Bert - Nature.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Detection of obstetric anal sphincter injuries using machine learning-assisted impedance spectroscopy: a prospective, comparative, multicentre... - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- JFrog and Hugging Face team to improve machine learning security and transparency for developers - SDxCentral - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Opportunistic access control scheme for enhancing IoT-enabled healthcare security using blockchain and machine learning - Nature.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- AI and Machine Learning Operationalization Software Market Hits New High | Major Giants Google, IBM, Microsoft - openPR - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- FICO secures new patents in AI and machine learning technologies - Investing.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Study on landslide hazard risk in Wenzhou based on slope units and machine learning approaches - Nature.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- NVIDIA Is Finding Great Success With Vulkan Machine Learning - Competitive With CUDA - Phoronix - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- MRI radiomics based on machine learning in high-grade gliomas as a promising tool for prediction of CD44 expression and overall survival - Nature.com - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- AI and Machine Learning - Identifying meaningful use cases to fulfil the promise of AI in cities - SmartCitiesWorld - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Prediction of contrast-associated acute kidney injury with machine-learning in patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography in emergency... - March 3rd, 2025 [March 3rd, 2025]
- Predicting Ag Harvest using ArcGIS and Machine Learning - Esri - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Seeing Through The Hype: The Difference Between AI And Machine Learning In Marketing - AdExchanger - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Machine Learning Meets War Termination: Using AI to Explore Peace Scenarios in Ukraine - Center for Strategic & International Studies - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Statistical and machine learning analysis of diesel engines fueled with Moringa oleifera biodiesel doped with 1-hexanol and Zr2O3 nanoparticles |... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Spatial analysis of air pollutant exposure and its association with metabolic diseases using machine learning - BMC Public Health - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- The Evolution of AI in Software Testing: From Machine Learning to Agentic AI - CSRwire.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Wonder Dynamics Helps Boxel Studio Embrace Machine Learning and AI - Animation World Network - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Predicting responsiveness to fixed-dose methylene blue in adult patients with septic shock using interpretable machine learning: a retrospective study... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Workplace Predictions: AI, Machine Learning To Transform Operations In 2025 - Facility Executive Magazine - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Development and validation of a machine learning approach for screening new leprosy cases based on the leprosy suspicion questionnaire - Nature.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Machine learning analysis of gene expression profiles of pyroptosis-related differentially expressed genes in ischemic stroke revealed potential... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Utilization of tree-based machine learning models for predicting low birth weight cases - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Machine learning-based pattern recognition of Bender element signals for predicting sand particle-size - Nature.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Wearable Tech Uses Machine Learning to Predict Mood Swings - IoT World Today - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Machine learning can prevent thermal runaway in EV batteries - Automotive World - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Integration of multiple machine learning approaches develops a gene mutation-based classifier for accurate immunotherapy outcomes - Nature.com - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Data Analytics Market Size to Surpass USD 483.41 Billion by 2032 Owing to Rising Adoption of AI & Machine Learning Technologies - Yahoo Finance - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Predictive AI Only Works If Stakeholders Tune This Dial - The Machine Learning Times - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Relationship between atherogenic index of plasma and length of stay in critically ill patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- A global survey from SAS shows that artificial intelligence and machine learning are producing major benefits in combating money laundering and other... - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Putting the AI in air cargo: How machine learning is reshaping demand forecasting - Air Cargo Week - March 1st, 2025 [March 1st, 2025]
- Meta speeds up its hiring process for machine-learning engineers as it cuts thousands of 'low performers' - Business Insider - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- AI vs. Machine Learning: The Key Differences and Why They Matter - Lifewire - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Unravelling single-cell DNA replication timing dynamics using machine learning reveals heterogeneity in cancer progression - Nature.com - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Climate change and machine learning the good, bad, and unknown - MIT Sloan News - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Theory, Analysis, and Best Practices for Sigmoid Self-Attention - Apple Machine Learning Research - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Yielding insights: Machine learning driven imputations to fill in agricultural data gaps in surveys - World Bank - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- SKUtrak Promote tool taps machine learning powered analysis to shake up way brands run promotions - Retail Technology Innovation Hub - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Machine learning approaches for resilient modulus modeling of cement-stabilized magnetite and hematite iron ore tailings - Nature.com - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values - Harvard Gazette - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Narrowing the gap between machine learning scoring functions and free energy perturbation using augmented data - Nature.com - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Analyzing the influence of manufactured sand and fly ash on concrete strength through experimental and machine learning methods - Nature.com - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Machine learning prediction of glaucoma by heavy metal exposure: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2008 -... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Correlation of rivaroxaban solubility in mixed solvents for optimization of solubility using machine learning analysis and validation - Nature.com - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Characterisation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and machine learning risk prediction in middle-aged and elderly populations: data from the... - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]
- Unlock the Secrets of AI: How Mohit Pandey Makes Machine Learning Fun! - Mi Valle - February 11th, 2025 [February 11th, 2025]