e-Meal: virtual shepherd who controls livestock from a distance, from a computer or mobile

e-Pasto is a European initiative that will be implemented in the Pyrenees to facilitate the work of shepherds. Through a virtual shepherd it is possible to control, remotely, from a computer or mobile, and in real time, where are the flocks.

The e-Pasto project is an initiative that is part of the European Agripir project (co-financed by Feder within the framework of Poctefa), that brings together Basque partners, French and Catalans in a cross-border cooperation initiative. Its objective is to launch a virtual shepherd that controls the flocks remotely from a computer or mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet..

The e-Pasto project, which is in pilot phase, It is based on a transmitter-receiver collar that is equipped with a satellite geolocation system. A device that must be small and light so that it can be integrated into traditional necklaces, but also robust to withstand shocks, friction and bites, as well as extreme weather temperatures; and is immune to electromagnetic fields.

This device will be the one that allows you to know from a distance where the carcass is in real time., whether they are cows, sheep or horses. You will also be able to monitor your health status and will be able to detect if you are grazing or not and if you are moving at a certain time..

Besides, The virtual shepherd will be able to interact with the herd to direct it to the desired area, through signals such as sounds, vibrations or electrical impulses.

The shepherd of the flock, in addition to geo-locating the flock, will be able to receive alerts and mobile messages when an incident occurs..

Before installing these collars, It will be necessary to study the behavior of the livestock and establish who is going to be installed in each herd.. Besides, It will be necessary to analyze the most appropriate interaction mechanism for each livestock farm.: type of stimulus, duration, frequency and intensity of it.

With e-Pasto it will not be necessary to install physical fences to control the herds, contributing to preserving the Pyrenean landscape.

Prototype development

The Estia Higher School of Advanced Industrial Technologies, based in Bidart, will be in charge of developing the prototype of this necklace; while the Center for Visual Interaction and Communications Technologies Vicomtech-IK4, based in the Donosita Technology Park, will carry out the development of the databases and the interface program.