Freddo Look Out Beats is an innovation in the very early stages of testing and development. It has the potential to save lives by addressing one of the biggest road safety issues in regional Australia - car accidents involving animal incidents.

Look Out Beats sets out to transform an antiquated roadside warning sign system with new technology that is designed to protect both drivers and animals.

The idea explores new territory, by integrating the natural warning signal of kangaroos into a music track that can be utilised to encourage safer driver behaviour in Australia’s most dangerous animal collision hotspots.

Kangaroos are responsible for 9/10 reported car accidents involving animals in Australia, with tens of thousands of incidents every year. There’s no alert system in place to protect roos. And the old system of roadside warning signs is largely ignored by drivers.

Freddo, Australia’s favourite chocolate frog, has a long-standing connection to wildlife conservation. But after years of natural disasters, Australians had compassion fatigue.

Utilising an initial budget of $150,000 AUD we needed to explore a new and immersive solution to keep the story relevant for Australian families.

When kangaroos sense danger, they thump their paws on the ground to warn others.

Working with a team of ecologists, sound engineers and technologists we found a way to harness their own warning systems.

Look Out Beats is a first-of a-kind music track with the kangaroo foot thump mixed in.

This was an engaging hook to get drivers to pay attention and avoid roos.

We transformed the old, outdated warning signs with a motion sensor device that detects cars, triggering the song to deter kangaroos. The song simultaneously plays on Spotify to warn drivers entering animal collision hotspots.

First field trial: February 2023

Track development –February 2023

Track released- March 2023

Hardware prototype - March 2023

Second Field trial – scheduled for May 2023

Using government and accident data, we identified the top animal collision hotspots across the country.

When a car enters one of these hotspots during the highest collision times- dawn and dusk, Spotify automatically played the track to warn the driver.

We are developing technology that’s uses IR movement sensors with a 360 degree range. These sensors detect cars or roos approaching.

This triggers the song to play at 55 decibels – the ideal intensity to deter kangaroos from approaching the road.

A prototype has been developed for use in field testing.

In the future, the track could be used not only to warn drivers. It would also warn roos themselves, potentially transforming outdated warning signs with a simple but innovative device. We will offer the music track and technology to road authorities for national rollout.

While still in its early stages, Look Out Beats could become effective alternative solution to the outdated roadside system and save millions of lives.