Interactions between animals and machines

Abstract

A new age of mechanisation of animal agriculture is dawning following advances in robotic engineering, coupled with current knowledge of animal physiology, behaviour and disease. The advent of automated machines equipped with novel sensors and controlled by cheap microprocessors will eliminate many of the hazardous, tedious or unpleasant chores currently undertaken by farmers. Automatic attachment of teat cups to dairy cows, robotic sheep shearing and mechanical harvesting of broilers are now feasible and commercial exploitation is likely within a decade. Machines may tackle some tasks which are too difficult, dangerous or costly for man, who may be better employed elsewhere. Paradoxically, replacement of man by robotics designed according to animal needs may improve not only production efficiency but also welfare. Utilisation of robotics in animal agriculture requires research in sensing techniques, data interpretation, design of end effectors, machine control, and animal perception and response. Animal applications provide a particularly intriguing challenge to robotics engineers because animals are (relatively) fragile, and mobile. The dynamic interaction of animals with machines presents novel opportunities for animals to control their own environment as well as difficulties in machine design. Potential applications of robotics in animal husbandry are legion and include many husbandry tasks involving inspection, monitoring, handling, manipulation, treatment and caretaking.