ISCF WAVE 1 AGRI TECH: Robochick: an automonous platform for data-collection in poultry sheds

这个项目的总体目标是论证移动机器人系统在商业禽舍数据收集中的可行性。技术方法是首先为动物福利友好型部署建立系统的功能规范，然后改装Ross Robotics Ltd(RRL)模块化机器人平台，使其能够在人员密集的棚屋中进行准确的自主导航和环境传感。将对一系列选定的传感器进行校准，并将其集成到多传感器模块中，以将不同的环境参数融合到小气候质量指数中(包括空气和垃圾条件)。最后，我们将在商业环境中对照关键生产指标对综合移动数据收集系统进行评估，并确定应与其他福利传感系统存在的相关性，例如Fancom Eyenama。这种技术方法遵循了与欧盟最近使用“活实验室”方法的PLF项目类似的运作方式。应用家禽有限公司(APL)的商业设施代表了这项可行性研究中的生活实验室。该项目将通过以下工作包进行：WP1：鸟-机器人相互作用研究。将使用RVC的设施进行一项科学研究，以确定机器人操作参数和福利指标之间的联系，包括：发声水平；惊吓反应(移动距离、跳跃/拍翼)；沮丧和警惕(不愿移动、摇头)；恢复正常行为的延迟。这项基本工作将从M1-M7运行。在M7中，这份WP将提交一份报告，概述在商业部署期间机器人的方法和功能规格。此次交付也构成了该项目的第一个里程碑：WP2：适应物理平台和传感器集成。在此期间，WP RRL的移动机器人模块化平台将进行优化，以便在家禽舍内运行。这将包括评估路线规划和动态避障的方法以及传感器模块的设计和集成。将有两个研究原型可用，一个在项目开始时用于鸟与机器人的相互作用研究，另一个由M10用于商业试验。后一项成果构成了该项目的第二个里程碑：WP3：小气候多传感器开发。一个关键的目标是开发一种能够准确评估鸟类居住区小气候质量的环境测量系统。在对动物感应进行全面的水平扫描审查之后，将对环境传感器的准确性、响应性、漂移、价格点和物理稳健性进行评估。传感器将包括温度、湿度和风速，用于粉尘测量的颗粒计数器，以及用于二氧化碳、NH3和VOC测量的传感器。将使用基于IRT的传感方法对鸟类的身体状况进行初步调查。这份WP将为传感器模块集成提供最先进的审查和功能规范；WP4：商业影响和可行性调查结果。从M10到M15，将进行一项关于机器人对使用APL家禽舍进行商业生产的影响的科学研究。棚内机器人的操作将由一名熟练的畜牧工使用基于天花板的视觉监控系统进行监控。机器人的影响将根据关键生产变量(例如，死亡率、被扑杀的百分比、活体重趋势、FCR、EPEF)进行评估。来自机器人的数据将与Eyenama(Fancom BV)的数据和股票经纪人的专家观点相关联。将根据系统的容量和限制对机器鸡的数据价值进行评估，并发布商业评估报告(可交付)；WP5：业务案例研究。可交付成果是一份开发路线图文件、一份早期开发报告和一份关于最终设想系统经济性的报告。宣传活动将在厚朴举行。

The overall objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of a mobile robotic system for data collection in commercial poultry sheds. The technical approach is to first establish the functional specifications of the system for animal welfare-friendly deployment, then to adapt the Ross Robotics Ltd (RRL) modular robotic platform such that it is capable of accurate autonomous navigation and environmental sensing in a populated shed. A select range of sensors will be calibrated and integrated into a multi-sensor module to fuse different environmental parameters into indices of microclimate quality (both aerial and litter condition). Finally we will evaluate the integrated mobile data-collection system in a commercial setting against key production indicators and identify correlations that should exist with other welfare sensing systems, e.g. Fancom Eyenamic. This technical approach follows a similar modus operandi as recent EU PLF projects that use the "living lab" methodology. The Applied Poultry Ltd (APL) commercial facilities represents the living lab in this feasibility study. The project will run through the following work packages:WP1: Bird-robot interaction study. A scientific study will be carried out using facilities at the RVC to define the link between the robot operating parameters and welfare indicators including: vocalisations level; startle response (distance moved, jumping/wing flapping); frustration and vigilance (reluctance to move, head shaking); latency to return to normal behaviour. This essential work will run from M1-M7. In M7 this WP will deliver a report outlining the methodology and functional specifications for the robot during commercial deployment. This delivery also forms the first milestone of the project;WP2: Adaptation of physical platform and sensor integration. During this WP RRL's mobile robotic modular platform will be optimised for operation within a poultry shed. This will include the evaluation of approaches for route-planning and dynamic obstacle avoidance as well as sensor module design and integration. Two research prototypes will be available, one at the start of the project for the bird-robot interaction studies and one by M10 for commercial trials. This latter deliverable forms the second milestone of the project;WP3: Microclimate multi-sensor development. A key objective is to develop an environmental measurement system capable of accurately evaluating the microclimate quality in the bird occupied zone. After a comprehensive horizon scanning review of animal sensing, environmental sensors are to be evaluated for accuracy, response, drift, price-point and physical robustness. Sensors will include temperature, humidity and anemometry, particle counters for dust measurement and sensors for CO2, NH3 and VOC measurement. Initial investigations into birds' physical condition will be carried using an IRT-based sensing approach. This WP will deliver a state-of-the-art review and functional specifications for sensor module integration;WP4: Commercial impact and Feasibility Findings. From M10 to M15, a scientific study will be carried out on the impact of the robot on commercial production using APL's poultry sheds. The operation of the robot within the shed will be monitored by a skilled stockman using a ceiling-based vision monitoring system. The impact of the robot will be assessed against key production variables (e.g. % mortality, % culled, live-weight trend, FCR, EPEF). The data from the robot will be correlated with data from Eyenamic (Fancom bv) and the stockman's expert viewpoint. An assessment of RoboChick's data value measured against the system's capacity and constraints will be conducted and a commercial evaluation report (deliverable);WP5: Business Case study. The deliverables are an exploitation roadmap document, an early stage exploitation report, and a report on the economics of the final envisaged system. A dissemination event will be held at HAU.