A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:
Proof of Concept
Explorations that test ideas and functionality.
Functional Prototype
Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.
Appearance Prototype
Looks like the final product, but is not functional.
Design Prototype
Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.
Production Prototype
Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.
Prototype Gallery
These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.
Our first batch of Hive Home Insect Farms are in successful use in over 38+ countries worldwide. Now we are launching Hive 2.0 Explorer, a portable, smart insect farm ideal for beginners and learners!
Hive Explorer is a smart insect home that empowers you to recycle your food waste into fertilizer and proteins with the superpower of mealworms. All while learning how you can help create a healthy planet.
Hive Explorer is a beautiful smart insect home to recycle food waste with superpower mealworms!
Biology meets Technology
Bringing nature indoors in a safe, regulated way allows grown-ups and kids to start growing precious products on food waste and start exploring the fascinating life of the Hive inhabitants (mealworms) easily. The Hive holds open source technology that controls the climate and micro-ecosystem for the insects.
The Super Cycle of Mealworms
All lifestages of the mealworm are grown in the Hive. It is a contiuous loop system of efficient food and fertilizer production!
As seen on
1. Recycle your food waste in the most fun and exploratory way possible!
Almost everything edible in your house can be converted by the Hive Explorer! Potato or carrot peels, apple cores, bread crumbs, you name it! Mealworms are ferocious eaters and you can see the process happening right before your eyes! Because they eat it right away, it won´t start smelling like your typical biowaste.
They can even eat plastics!
A recent study from Stanford University has found that mealworms can digest styrofoam (polystyrene). How cool is that? Please don´t eat or feed to your pets afterwards though.
2. Collect fertilizer for your plants!
The mealworm by-products make fantastic plant food! It will boost your plants like a jungle in your home!
3. Grow superpower proteins for safe cooking for your pets or for yourself *if you are brave* Yum!
Harvest your mealworms!
You can either have your mealworms grow infinitely through multiple generations or harvest them every now and then. You will be able to harvest between 10-20g every week while still keeping the system running.
Through the process of freezing, they fall into an eternal winter sleep without any pain. Afterwards, they can be cooked, rinsed and further processed to make a snack for you or for your pets. Recipes are included in the magazine.
Healthy proteins for people and animals!
How do they taste? They taste great! They have a mild nutty flavor. This allows to mix them into all sorts of recipes. Make them crispy as a snack, sweet or savory as an insect meat patty for your burger.
Your hamster will also love a toasted mealworm! And so do bearded dragons, fish, birds and even cats and dogs. It´s the most sustainable pet food you can imagine!
4. Explore, learn STEM skills with fun and experiment creatively ...
Hive Explorer inhabitants are like pokemon! Watch them evolve through the different stages, assisted and guided by Hive Explorer and the accompanying magazine. Hive Explorer magazine comes with a lot of exercises and tasks making it fun and inspiring for you!
The Hive Magazine will come out twice a year full of interesting info, experiments and exercises!
You can find guided experiments in Hive Explorer Magazine or come up with your own!
How about running a pH Test with your fertilizer?
You can even do coding exercises with the Hive!
The technology in the Hive is based on Arduino and open source! Modulate temperature and humidity settings and run experiments on the growth of your insects or compare two Hives next to each other with different settings and compare fertilizer output throughout a certain timespan! The possibilities are endless!
The Immersive Exploration Set
Get right into recycling your food waste with mealworms, into exploration and even tasting with our full Hive Explorer Set!
** please note that due to Kickstarter policies we cannot offer live mealworms in the campaign. However, you will be able to order them through our website after the campaign is over **
Reducing food waste and growing sustainable food is one of the greatest challenges of our century. We need new methods and technologies to feed the world!
Usage of resources to create the same amount of beef vs. mealworms
Growing a community that creates a healthier world
"We need to empower and share with the next generation."
“I want to build a community together to save food waste.”
1/3 of the food produced every year is wasted! Reducing waste and growing sustainable food is one of the world's most pressing issues today.
We and the future generation need new methods and technologies to reduce food waste and effectively recycle waste into high-value products!
Watch our TEDx Talk on this topic:
The food waste goes into the smart insect home which consists of several compartments that house the entire lifecycle of mealworms (egg > mealworm worm > mealworm cocoon > mealworm beetle).
The Hive is a smart technology insect home housing all lifestages of the insects specifically tailored to their needs:
The Mealworm´s "Pokemon" Stages
The Life of the Mealworm inside the Hive Explorer
Safe, smart and regulated!
Beautiful Transparent lid: for easy observing of the interesting lives of the Hive Explorer inhabitants
Improved HEPA and carbon filter: fresh air for both Hive Explorer residents and yourself!
Environment sensor: collects data of the ecosystem
"Hive Brain": automates and regulates micro-climate
Fan: aerates and regulates humidity
Safe Heatplate: keeps the mealworms warm
Core Topics of Learning
Besides learning about the ecosystem as a whole, these are the core topics of learning:
Core Skills to Learn
These are the core skills to learn:
How is this STEM?
Workshop with Fairchild Kindergarten to include Hive Explorer into the curriculum
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.
Below, only a few suggested STEM Activities integrated in our curriculum for the Educator and School Pack:
Identify 4 distinct life stages of mealworms
Label Parts of the mealworms
Determine technologies to create a suitable living environment for insects
Foster patience and appreciation for living organisms
Explain biodegradation of food and plastic
Explain the word "sustainability"
Apply frass (mealworm waste) as an organic fertilizer (plant food!) to houseplants
Come up with ideas to create positive environmental changes in your home and community
If you want to make a positive impact on all of our future, the Hive Explorer is for you!
Whether you recycle food waste in your home, use the fertilizer for your plants, eat the mealworms, learn about biology and technology by observing and interacting with it or use it as an educational tool for your students: the Hive Explorer has no age constraints.
Hive Explorer Magazine is recommended from age 6 and up, but its core content can be utilized for any age group!
For our curriculum, we are teaming up with educators around the globe. Please reach out to us if you want to get involved!
Due to Kickstarter regulations of not allowing live animal pledges, we cannot offer the live starterkit mealworms during the campaign.
After the campaign has ended you will be able to order your live starter kit mealworms through our website and, as a backer, for a special discount.
We work with local mealworm suppliers that supply food-grade quality mealworms in the USA, the EU, China and HK. This is to make sure that your mealworms have a short and safe trip to you.
In case you are outside of the above mentioned regions or have your own source of mealworms, we will advise you on specifications and directions to get started with your self-sourced mealworms.
Mealworms are native in the outdoors in almost every part of the world, they are totally harmless and they do not sting or bite.
The Hive Explorer Team
Special Collaborators
We are very excited to work with the below professionals on the first Hive Explorer Magazine.
Kai-Aline Hula is a teacher and writer who has published more than 10 children's books for both primary school and secondary school. She will advise and contribute to the first issue.
Ali Ziaei is mostly known for his political satire comics but also for cute animal illustrations. He will make sure that Hive Explorer Magazine is beautifully illustrated to make it really fun and engaging.
Our Support Network
Our Accelerators and Supporters
It all started when founder Katharina left her little home village in Austria and started to work as an industrial designer in Hong Kong. She realized that most of the food there was imported and almost no one knew where it came from. That´s why she started to investigate the current food system and looked into alternatives.
It turned out that insects can play a key role in solving many problems around our food system! This took her all around the world, for example working on insect breeding in Africa and Hawaii. Many prototypes followed and our Hives were shipped to customers all around the world!
to everyone who believed in us and supported us (in no particular order)
Livin Farms team, Family Unger, Ka Tam, the HAX team, specifically Duncan, Ben, Pycno, Wandianlian, MD Terraristik, Krish Daswani, Conor Colwell, Bea Siasco, Sylvia Lour, Em Kong, our Hive Home customers and community, Anne Schwoebel, Patrick and Jordi, Markus Krischmann, Arnold van Huis, Christoph Thomann, Andreas Gugumuck, Robert Nathan Allen + Little Herds, the Global Entomophagy Scene, Kreca NL, Hong Kong Science Park team, specifically Jonny, Edward, Sean, Billy, Graham, Nels Chan, Studio 8, Rainbow Mealworms and everyone else who helped us and we might have forgotten here
DISCLAIMER:
PEOPLE WITH SHELLFISH ALLERGY MIGHT BE SENSITIVE TO INSECTS TOO. LIVIN farms does not take any responsibility or liability for consumed mealworms.
-- KOREAN TRANSLATION BELOW --
한국어 :
contact@livinfarms.com // press@livinfarms.com
우리의 첫 번째 Hive Home 곤충 농장은 전 세계 38개 이상의 국가에서 성공적으로 사용되고 있습니다. 이제 우리는 초보자와 학습자에게 이상적인 휴대용 곤충 농장 Hive 2.0 Explorer를 출시합니다!
생물학과 기술의 접점입니다.
Hive Explorer는 스마트한 가정용 곤충 농장이자 STEM 교육 키트입니다. 이것은 여러분이 건강한 지구를 만드는 방법을 배우면서 음식물 쓰레기를 비료와 단백질로 바꿀 수 있게 해줍니다.
Hive Explorer는 슈퍼파워 밀웜과 함께 음식물 쓰레기를 재활용할 수 있는 아름답고 똑똑한 곤충 키트입니다!
자연을 안전하고 통제된 방법으로 실내에 들여와, 여러분과 여러분의 아이들이 쉽게 탐험을 시작할 수 있게 해줍니다. Hive는 곤충의 환경과 미생물을 조절하는 오픈소스 기술을 보유하고 있습니다.
S : 밀웜의 라이프 사이클로부터의 과학
T : 제어되는 미세 기후에서의 기술
E : 지속가능한 푸드 시스템에서의 엔지니어링
M : 비료 계산에서의 수학
밀웜의 슈퍼 사이클
Hive Explorer Magazine 및 부록 세트와 함께 Hive Explorer의 매력적인 삶을 자연스럽게 탐구하게 됩니다.
음식물 쓰레기는 밀웜에게 아주 좋은 먹이입니다.
밀웜은 동물과 사람에게 아주 좋은 음식(단백질)입니다.
밀웜의 부산물은 건조한 가루이며 이건 식물에게 아주 좋은 양분입니다.
식물은 동물과 사람에게 새로운 음식입니다.
학습의 핵심 주제
전반적인 에코시스템뿐만 아니라 다음의 학습의 핵심 주제도 배울 수 있습니다.
배울 수 있는 것들
다음과 같은 것을 학습할 수 있습니다 :
몰입형 탐험 세트
밀웜과 함께 음식물쓰레기를 재활용하고, 탐험을 하고, 심지어 완전한 Hive Explorer 세트를 이용해 맛도 보시기 바랍니다!
** 킥스타터 정책 때문에 우리는 이 캠페인에서 살아있는 밀웜을 제공할 수 없음을 꼭 알아두시길 바랍니다. 하지만 캠페인이 끝나면 저희 웹사이트를 통해 주문할 수 있습니다.**
David Robinson, 노드 앵그랄 국제 학교 선생님 - “학생들에게 하이브를 소개했던 것은 이번년도 가장 재미있고 의미있는 행동이었습니다. 학생들에게 교실에서 STEM 학습을 가르쳐줄 아주 혁신적이고 효과적인 방법입니다.”
Michele M. OT MAEd, 미시의 고등 학교 트랜지션 코디네이터 - “저희는 하이브를 초등학교와 고등학교 학생들의 직업 테라피 프로그램과 접목시켰습니다. 저희 학생들은 과학, 수학, 직업 수업을 통합했고 배울 수 있는 기회는 저희가 생각한 것 보다 훨씬 많았습니다.”
Will & Blake, USA - “저희 5살 딸 아이 Blake는 하이브의 모든 요소를 아주 즐거워 합니다. 저희는 이 경험을 아주 즐기고 있습니다.”
노드 앵글리아 국제학교에서 열린 다양한 연령의 500명의 학생들로 구성된 강의
기술을 개발하는 동안, 우리는 많은 부모님들과 선생님들이 다음과 같은 목소리를 내는 것을 들었습니다. :
"우리는 다음 세대에게 힘을 실어주고 공유할 필요가 있습니다."
"저는 음식물 쓰레기를 줄이기 위한 공동체를 만들고 싶습니다."
매년 생산되는 식품의 1/3이 낭비되고 있습니다! 쓰레기를 줄이고 지속가능한 음식을 늘리는 것은 오늘날 세계에서 가장 시급한 문제 중 하나입니다.
우리와 미래 세대는 음식물 쓰레기를 줄이고 효과적으로 폐기물을 고부가가치 제품으로 재활용 할 수있는 새로운 방법과 기술이 필요합니다!
다음을 할 수 있는 것은 시장에 없습니다 :
쉽게 재활용하기
쓰레기를 효과적으로 용도 변경하기
음식이 귀하다고 가르치기
생태계를 투명하게 탐험하기
음식을 분해하는 흥미있는 과정을 관찰하기.
고부가가치 유기농 제품으로 전환하기
이 주제에 대한 TEDx 강연을 시청해보세요.
음식 쓰레기는 밀웜의 라이프 사이클에 따라 여러 구획으로 구성된 스마트한 곤충 집으로 들어갑니다. (알 -> 밀웜 -> 밀웜 번데기 -> 밀웜 성충).
안전하고, 똑똑하고, 관리가 잘됩니다!
아름다운 투명 뚜껑: Hive Explorer 내의 흥미로운 삶을 쉽게 관찰.
HEPA 및 탄소 필터 개선: Hive Explorer 의 곤충들을 위한 신선한 공기!
환경 센서: 에코시스템 데이터 수집
"Hive Brain": 미세 기후 자동화 및 조절
팬: 공기 조절 및 습도 조절
안전판: 밀웜을 따뜻하게 유지
1. 음식물 쓰레기를 재활용하세요!
집에서 먹을 수 있는 거의 모든 것이 Hive Explorer에 의해 변환될 수 있습니다! 감자나 당근 껍질, 사과, 빵 부스러기, 말만 해보세요!
밀웜은 포식자이며, 여러분은 눈앞에서 그 과정이 일어나는 것을 볼 수 있습니다!
밀웜은 심지어 스티로폼도 먹을 수 있습니다!
스탠포드 대학의 최근 연구는 밀웜이 스티로폼을 소화할 수 있다는 것을 발견했습니다. 멋지지 않나요? 하지만 나중에 애완동물에게 먹이로는 주지 마세요.
3. 애완동물과 여러분 자신*을 위한 안전한 요리를 위해 슈퍼파워 밀웜을 길러보세요! *당신이 용감하다면요*
여러분은 밀웜이 여러 세대를 거쳐 무한히 자라게 하거나 때때로 그것들을 수확할 수 있습니다. 얼리기만 해도 그들은 아무런 고통 없이 영원한 겨울잠을 잡니다. 그 후에, 그들은 요리되고, 헹구고, 더 나아가서 여러분과 여러분의 애완 동물들을 위한 간식을 만들 수 있습니다.
잡지에는 레시피들이 포함되어 있습니다.
완전한 탐험 세트는 여러분이 바로 요리법을 시도해 볼 수 있도록 밀웜 분말과 씨리얼이 함께 제공됩니다!
여러분의 햄스터는 구운 밀웜도 좋아할 거예요! 파충류, 물고기, 새, 심지어 고양이와 개들도 그렇습니다. 그것은 여러분이 상상할 수 있는 가장 지속 가능한 애완동물 음식이에요!
4. 재미있게 STEM 기술을 탐색하고 학습하고 창의적으로 실험합니다.
Hive Explorer 의 곤충들은 마치 포켓몬같습니다!
Hive Explorer와 함께 제공되는 매거진에 의해 지원되고 안내되는 다양한 단계를 통해 그들이 진화하는 것을 지켜 보십시오.
Hive Explorer 잡지는 재미있고 영감을 주는 많은 연습과 과제가 가득 합니다!
Hive Explorer Magazine은 다양한 작업과 게임과 실험을 통해 일년에 두 번 나올 예정입니다!
여러분은 Hive Explorer Magazine에서 제안된 실험을 찾거나 여러분만의 실험을 할 수 있습니다!
비료의 산성도를 측정하기 위한 pH검사는 어떤가요?
Hive의 기술은 아두이노와 오픈 소스를 기반으로 합니다!
그래서 만약 여러분이 원하신다면, Hive와 함께 코딩 연습을 할 수 있습니다!
만약 여러분이 미래에 긍정적인 영향을 주고 싶다면, Hive Explorer는 여러분을 위한 것입니다! 집에서 음식을 재활용하고, 식물을 위한 비료로 사용하고, 생물학과 기술을 관찰하고 상호작용하며, 또는 학생들을 위한 교육 도구로 사용해보세요. Hive Explorer는 나이 제한이 없습니다.
Hive Explorer Magazine은 8세 이상부터 권장되지만, 이 매거진 내용은 모든 연령 그룹에 맞춰 사용할 수 있습니다! 이를 위해 우리는 전 세계의 교육자들과 협력하고 있습니다. 함께 참여하고 싶다면 우리에게 연락하세요!
특별 콜라보레이션
지원 네트워크
엑셀러레이터와 지원사들
Risks and challenges
This is our second Kickstarter campaign and we have learned a lot during and after the first one.
We are committed to delivering the Hive with the highest possible quality, in a reasonable time frame.
These are the things that could happen:
MANUFACTURING & SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES
About 60-70 % of the tooling that are needed for Hive Explorer are already finished. We have made these parts before. We have mitigated as many manufacturing, production, and supply chain issues as possible. We have outlined a conservative time frame for delivery, and are supported by a huge network of very experienced hardware, manufacturing, and supply chain experts. Nevertheless, to optimize the Hive we still might have to make some changes of the design to improve function and manufacturing .
Like any hardware project, there will always be unforeseen challenges and potentially delays that arise.
VARIATION IN MEALWORM HARVEST
The Hive is designed to provide good living conditions for the mealworms and beetles, but you as the user are still responsible to treat and feed them to make sure they are well. LIVIN farms does not take any responsibility or liability for the consumed harvest.
SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES OF STARTER KITS
Due to Kickstarter regulations of not allowing live animal pledges, we cannot offer the live starterkit mealworms during the campaign.
After the campaign has ended you will be able to order your live starter kit mealworms through our website and, as a backer, for a special discount.
We work with local mealworm suppliers that supply food-grade quality mealworms in the USA, the EU, China and HK. This is to make sure that your mealworms have a short and safe trip to you.
In case you are outside of the above mentioned regions or have your own source of mealworms, we will advise you on specifications and directions to get started with your self-sourced mealworms.
Mealworms are native in the outdoors in almost every part of the world, they are totally harmless and they do not sting or bite.
We are dedicated to rising and meeting these issues head on, with the same dedication and passion that got us to this point. We look forward to the next stage of our journey with you as our partners.
Whatever happens along the journey, we’ll always remain completely transparent to make sure we get the Hive to your doorstep.
Every bit counts in setting little explorers up to build a better world!
And that means you are well worthy to look behind the scenes:
+ receive an exclusive digital preview of the Hive Explorer Magazine
+ updates and background stories about the project and what we are up to!
+ Your name as a supporter with all the other backers on our website is included in the pack!
+ an exclusive digital preview of the Hive Explorer Magazine
+ updates and stories right to your inbox
+ a set of 8 beautifully designed temporary tattoos matching the Explorer magazine stories
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
+ 1 x Explorer Taste Pack (Wholesome Mealworm Powder + Mealworm Granola)
+ Science Experiment Pack (Magnifying Glass, 3 Petri Dishes, 2 Tweezers, & 1 Spoon)
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
+ 1 x Explorer Taste Pack (Wholesome Mealworm Powder + Mealworm Granola)
+ Science Experiment Pack (Magnifying Glass, 3 Petri Dishes, 2 Tweezers, & 1 Spoon)
+ 1-year subscription to our Explorer Magazine with lots of info and fun exercises (digital)
Your friends and surroundings might get jealous once you start growing superpower mealworms and recycling your food waste! That´s why we got you covered with 2 Hive sets in this package. Share it with a friend or donate one to a school perhaps?
+ 2 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 2 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 2 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
+ 1 x Explorer Taste Pack (Wholesome Mealworm Powder + Mealworm Granola)
+ Science Experiment Pack (Magnifying Glass, 3 Petri Dishes, 2 Tweezers, & 1 Spoon)
+ a guided curriculum and exercises for 5 class or home lessons with exercises for download to print yourself as well as
+ a beautiful printed A0 poster that summarizes the Hive journey!
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 5 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 25 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 5 x Replaceable Air Filter
+ 10 x Explorer Taste Pack (Wholesome Mealworm Powder + Mealworm Granola)
+ 5 x Science Experiment Pack (Magnifying Glass, 3 Petri Dishes, 2 Tweezers, & 1 Spoon)
+ a guided curriculum and exercises for 5 class or home lessons with exercises for download to print yourself as well as
+ a beautifully printed A0 poster that summarizes the Hive journey!
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
You will receive all that's included in the
+ Hive Educator Kit
+ an inspiring, 2-hour workshop run by one of the creators in a school or organization (or private setting) of your choice!
(Travel costs not included)
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
+ 1 x Hive Explorer Smart Tech Insect Home
+ 1 x Printed Hive Explorer Magazine
+ 1 x Replaceable Air Filter
For EU and US customers: VAT and Tax is covered.
For other countries: Tax and duties might be applicable and the customer is responsible for any import charges.
