Volkswagen Australia introduced a groundbreaking invention, the RooBadge, designed to mitigate collisions between vehicles and kangaroos. Unlike traditional deterrent devices, this concealed technology, integrated into the vehicle’s badge area, emits a blend of natural and artificial sounds at high frequencies.
The RooBadge, connected to an in-car app, utilizes GPS data calibrated with kangaroo distribution information for enhanced effectiveness. Developed over three years in collaboration with the DDB Group, the University of Melbourne, and WIRES, the wildlife rescue organization, this device marks a significant advancement in kangaroo collision prevention.
Associate Professor Graeme Coulson from the University of Melbourne highlights RooBadge’s unique capability to tailor sound deterrence based on GPS location, accommodating various kangaroo species’ behaviors.
This approach represents a departure from conventional deterrents, offering a more nuanced and targeted solution. Kangaroo-related accidents constitute a significant portion of wildlife collisions on Australian roads, prompting Volkswagen’s proactive efforts to address this issue.
By implementing the RooBadge, the brand aims to not only safeguard kangaroos but also reduce property damage and mitigate the risk of fatal accidents caused by evasive maneuvers.
Moreover, the research conducted for the RooBadge project holds promise for addressing similar wildlife collision challenges in other countries, such as deer-related accidents. Dr. Helen Bender of the University of Melbourne underscores the potential applicability of these findings to regions where deer pose a threat to drivers, citing similarities in hearing capabilities and physical characteristics between kangaroos and deer.
