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

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

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.