Cyber-physical systems for the meat industry
How can we help the meat industry?
The Data61 Cyber-Physical Systems program develops research-based solutions using Robotics, Computer Vision and Distributed Sensing Systems (IoT) to improve productivity and safety in dull, dirty and dangerous environments. We do this by sensing, digitalising, modelling and interacting with the physical environment, bringing together the digital and physical worlds.
Our world-class research capabilities include:
- 3D scene understanding
- Video analytics
- Object detection, classification and tracking
- Anomaly detection
- Behaviour analysis
- Situational awareness
- Human-robot teaming
- Robot-world interaction
which we deploy in targeted applications that solve specific challenges in collaboration with industry partners.
Our infrastructure and capability
We operate state-of-the-art robotics and mechatronics R&D facilities that provide an ideal location for testing field research in indoor, outdoor, underwater and underground environments. This includes 3D printing and engineering capabilities to develop novel sensors and systems for real-world conditions. Our 600-square-metre Robotics Innovation Centre and adjacent robotics testing infrastructure at Pullenvale (QLD) is open for use for collaborative projects with industry and government.
Our multidisciplinary team includes researchers, software engineers, and hardware engineers with diversified and extensive experience in computer vision, IoT and applied field robotics across a number of domains including agriculture, manufacturing, biosecurity and mining.
Case studies
- AI-based animal health and welfare inspection
We are developing an automated and integrated prototype system for real-time livestock monitoring including alerts and reporting of animal health and welfare, which can be used by trained stock inspectors, livestock vets and meat processing companies. Our data scientists and animal behaviourists have partnered with a commercial abattoir to develop a prototype system that employs advanced computer vision and deep learning to automate animal behaviour analysis and health abnormality detection.
Find out more about this project - 3D Situational awareness
3D Situational Awareness technology provides real-time situational awareness for factories. Developed in some of the largest factories in the world, it utilises off-the-shelf security cameras, network hardware and computers to create 3D blobs of anything moving in the environment, as well as objects that have been targeted for individual identification. The system offers a scalable option for people safety, material and machinery flow, and early factory fault detection. Find out more about this project.
- Smart tags for animals
We’ve combined our expertise in technology and animal science with commercial partner Ceres Tag to create a smart ear tag aimed at improving livestock management.
The tag leverages years of research in livestock production and tracking, offering geo-location for better traceability and future applications. It provides valuable data to enhance livestock and paddock management, improve grazing control, and alert producers to stock theft, illness, or births.
Ceres Tag connects animals directly to satellites, bypassing on-farm towers, and lasts the animal’s lifetime without requiring battery changes. It also meets NLIS tag requirements and is part of a research project co-funded by MLA Donor Company. Additionally, it now estimates daily pasture intake for cattle, developed in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Find out more about this project.
Key contacts
For collaboration opportunities, research partnerships or pilot trials, please contact:
