Wearable technology like the Fitbit is all the rage among aspiring fitness fanatics these days, and, if a small Pakistani tech firm has its way, something similar may soon revolutionise the livestock farming sector.
E4 Technologies, based in Islamabad, recently introduced a collar-fitted tracking device for cows called the Cowlar, which they hope will improve the Pakistani dairy sector’s dismal per cow yield of four to five litres of milk per day.
According to TechInAsia, E4 Technologies hope to increase milk yields by up to 15% with their affordable, easy-to-use tracking device.
TechInAsia reports the Cowlar constantly monitors the temperature and behaviour of animals through motion-sensing trackers that scrutinise cows’ eating, sleeping, mating and other significant activities. The data is then fed back into an algorithm at a solar powered base within a 4km range, which determines things like the health of the cow, its predicted heat cycle and any irregularities in behaviour.
The Cowlar’s biggest draw card is the fact that it’s designed for farmers who do not necessarily have or want access to computers or the Internet. Part of the Cowlar package includes an integrated, solar powered system that analyses all the data automatically and sends farmers SMSes with recommendations to manage their cows. More tech-savvy clients can have access to an online dashboard, enabling them to send message alerts to workers and see whether any follow-up action was taken.
Although it’s still under development, E4 Technologies is said to have sold around 1 000 devices since the beginning of April. It costs around US$69 per device.