The Beastcam Will Use 3D Imaging to Document Every Animal Species on Earth

Duncan Irschick

You may be surprised to know just how often 3D technology is able to help in saving the lives of innocent animals. Whether you are an all-out vegan, PETA-loving activist for animals, or just a more laid-back lover of all creatures, we can all generally come together to agree that if testing on animals could be completely eliminated, that would be a relief. And technologies such as bioprinting are definitely going to play a large role, as we’ve seen already with researchers able to use it for processes like experimenting on brain tumors through the creation of cellular structures in the lab—all without putting animals in the line of fire. Such testing is important as it allows for the study of diseases along with how they react to certain treatments—ultimately, offering hope to cure more patients.

Now, 3D imaging is being used to study animals themselves, without harming them. Sadly, in the collecting of data and working to understand animals, they often lose their lives. But what if that problem could be eliminated altogether, with the element of learning expanded as well? That’s what biologist Duncan Irschick, hailing from the University of Massachusetts, is working toward—and with great progress.

With the previous creation of Geckskin, Irschick showed the world that he could produce a unique and powerful adhesive developed from the inspiration of how gecko feet work in sticking to things. He has also, this year, invented the Beastcam. With this portable camera, he can take pictures of live animals that are automatically converted to 3D images. That’s handy, of course, but he has great ambitions for the Beastcam, which is comprised of 30 cameras altogether, bearing ten arms that hold three cameras each.

Irschick plans to make 3D models of all living species on our planet. Once that part of the project is complete, he will publish the data using his Digital Life platform.

“In the field, people often have to kill an animal to preserve it,” Irschick said in a recent interview. “With our 3D models, the animal can stay alive.

“If you discovered a new species in the wild, how fantastic would it be if you could create a 3D model of the living animal right there,” he asks, “capturing its color, shape, and posture?”

Irschick and his team also have a handheld version that they use for larger animals; for example, when scanning sharks (yes, sharks!) they have used the handheld Beastcam.

The Beastcam

“The current system is designed for smaller animals who pose really well for photographs,” says Irschick. “So the current range is from about three-and-a-half inches to 10 inches, but in the next several months we’ll have the capacity to capture animals from half an inch to six feet or more.”

Irschick and his team are planning to begin making 3D models of frogs and sea turtles in the very near future. Because these groups of animals face major survival threats, this was an excellent starting point.

“We are excited to use the Beastcam technology to preserve the digital heritage of all life on Earth,” said Irschick. “This will take several lifetimes, but we are thrilled to begin the journey. Digitally preserving the heritage of life on Earth is especially important given the rapid decline of many species, and this technology can recreate organisms in a way that has never been done before.”

Discuss in the Beastcam forum at 3DPB.com.