Nikon Innovates: AI-Powered Camera Revolutionizes Cow Birthing Monitoring
Source: The DairyNews
In a surprising move, Nikon has harnessed its imaging and AI expertise to develop a groundbreaking system that notifies farmers when a cow is on the brink of giving birth, as reported by Kyodo News. This innovative solution aims to alleviate the burdensome task of regularly checking expectant mothers, providing a significant efficiency boost for farmers during busy birthing seasons.
Priced at 900,000 yen per year ($6,200) for farms housing approximately 100 cows, the system combines a security-style camera with an advanced AI platform. Integrated with a dedicated smartphone application, the system issues timely alerts when a calf is nearing delivery, empowering farmers to take swift action as needed.
Nikon commenced AI training in the fall of 2021, followed by proof-of-concept trials on four farms in southwestern Japan in February 2023. The AI system can detect subtle signs displayed by pregnant cows approximately five hours before labor, such as heightened movement and the initiation of the calf's amniotic sac release. Kazuhiro Hirano from Nikon expressed aspirations to expand the system's capabilities to detect additional behaviors, including recognizing when a female cow is in heat.
According to feedback from livestock owner Keita Higuchi, who participated in the tests last year, the system has proven highly effective. Higuchi stated, "We deliver about 60 calves per year and had to check the mothers every few hours from around a month before they are due. This system has been a great help."
While renowned for its consumer cameras, Nikon's diverse portfolio encompasses microscopes, X-Ray systems, semiconductor systems, robot vision, virtual production studios, and more. Leveraging AI technology not only for microscope imaging assistance, but also combating the misuse of AI-generated images through cutting-edge electronic watermarking technology, Nikon continues to push the boundaries of innovation.
Nikon commenced AI training in the fall of 2021, followed by proof-of-concept trials on four farms in southwestern Japan in February 2023. The AI system can detect subtle signs displayed by pregnant cows approximately five hours before labor, such as heightened movement and the initiation of the calf's amniotic sac release. Kazuhiro Hirano from Nikon expressed aspirations to expand the system's capabilities to detect additional behaviors, including recognizing when a female cow is in heat.
According to feedback from livestock owner Keita Higuchi, who participated in the tests last year, the system has proven highly effective. Higuchi stated, "We deliver about 60 calves per year and had to check the mothers every few hours from around a month before they are due. This system has been a great help."
While renowned for its consumer cameras, Nikon's diverse portfolio encompasses microscopes, X-Ray systems, semiconductor systems, robot vision, virtual production studios, and more. Leveraging AI technology not only for microscope imaging assistance, but also combating the misuse of AI-generated images through cutting-edge electronic watermarking technology, Nikon continues to push the boundaries of innovation.
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