“I’ve lived in Tasmania my whole life so it’s no surprise that I am an animal lover.” Meg Philips is the winner of Australia’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow in 2021 whose passion for animals led to a tech solution to protect them.

“Tasmania’s reputation for natural beauty and unique wildlife is juxtaposed by being its reputation as the world’s roadkill capital. It’s estimated that up to half a million animals are killed on Tasmanian roads each year, which is absolutely devastating for native species, many of which are endangered.”

STEM knowledge protects endangered species

Meg decided to take action to save animals. An idea sprang to mind, thinking RFID technology could be used between cars and animals to prevent roadkills.

RFID uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags attached to objects. “Long-range RFID tags can be attached to cars,” explains Meg. “When the car is within the range, the RFID reader will pick up the signal and trigger the controller to activate an alarm to warn off animals near the road ahead.”

Making tangible changes in society

Meg’s RFID Roadkill Reducer is a network-free solution that utilizes existing technologies and requires minimal infrastructure. Recognized for the high level of STEM application to solving a societal issue as well as feasibility, the on-road system won first place in Australia’s Solve for Tomorrow in 2021.

“It feels so rewarding that after all my years of study and hard work, I can make functional and viable solutions to real-world problems, especially to a problem so close to home,” says Meg. “STEM gives you the tools to problem-solve in any context and industry. There aren’t many disciplines that give you a skillset so versatile and powerful!”

According to Meg, the prize money she received from the competition will go towards improving her prototype and its feasibility. She hopes to take the idea to the next phase with local organizations and see it become a reality one day.