Bark-Code
Tag-free tree ID for family forest owners
Bark-Code is a handheld LiDAR scanner that uses a tree's unique bark texture as a biometric digital fingerprint, eliminating the need for physical tags. This innovation makes tracking growth and carbon storage affordable and accessible for family forest owners, reducing monitoring costs from $50–$200 to near zero. By enabling smallholders to participate in carbon offset markets, Bark-Code offers a viable alternative to logging, preventing significant CO2 emissions and preserving forest integrity.
Company/Institution
Imperial College London
The MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering is a joint degree offered by Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, uniquely combining Imperial's engineering rigour with the RCA's design excellence.
Country
United Kingdom
Website
Designer(s)
Hanju Seo
Hanju Seo is a Korean Ag-Tech innovator integrating living systems with digital infrastructure. He graduated from the MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering program at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art in 2024. Growing up in Homaesil, South Korea, where rural and urban systems converged, shaped his conviction that technology must collaborate with living contexts. In 2024, he founded EarthCode Ltd.