This seems like a pretty cool concept, however I’m concerned by a few practicalities. I am a beekeeper, though a relatively new one.
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Beekeeping is wonderful, but very challenging. If you’re interested, join a local backyard beekeeper group near where you live. You will find your fellow beekeepers to be an invaluable resource.
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The featured hive will rot on the top and bottom very quickly. Hives are usually roofed with metal or plastic, and supported with a durable stand. The outer walls are typically painted or stained. Exposed plywood won’t hold up. You can fix that here by adding a roof, cinder blocks on bottom, and paint on the outside.
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The hive pictured looks really small. When bees fill up a space, they tend to swarm, leaving the hive. That’s why most hives are expandable. I don’t think this hive is large enough or expandable.
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Bees cover the inside of the hive with propolis, which is made of tree sap. It’s very sticky and difficult to remove. They use it to seal gaps and mummify intruders, like mice. This may be a concern with their sensors, which could get coated quickly.
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Most bee hive designs are already free of patent, and plans are freely available. You can make a top-bar hive from a single plank of wood and a saw. Plans are here: http://www.amazon.com/Top-Bar-Beekeeping-Organic-Practices-Honeybee/dp/1603584617/ This is a great book, and highly recommended.
If you’re thinking of getting into beekeeping, join a local group. It’s a lot of fun, and highly recommended! The classes tend to be very full of happy mutants.
