Electronic device to evaluate free life conditions of thermal comfort and animal walfare

• Grant number: 20/13695-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Wellisson Roberto Rogato
• Grantee: Wellisson Roberto Rogato
• Company: Developnow Projetos de Software e Eletrônica Ltda. - ME
• CNAE: Desenvolvimento de programas de computador sob encomenda ; Consultoria em tecnologia da informação ; Serviços de engenharia
• Associated researchers: Alex Sandro Campos Maia ; Hugo Fernando Maia Milan
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/08105-2 - Electronic device to evaluate free life conditions of thermal comfort and animal walfare, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The respiratory rate is a physiological response used to evaluate the heat stress level of animals. A device that allows for continuously measurement of the respiratory rate in animals in their natural habitat could be used to 1) control the thermal environment, 2) monitor the health status of animals, 3) select genetically adapted animals to the climate of the region, and 4) study/research effects and correlations of the respiratory rate of farm and wild animals. The respiratory rate is conventionally measured through counting the number of movements in the thorax of the animal. To overcome the limitations of this method, were developed and patented a device (MaiaFR) that continuously measure the respiratory rate without restraining the animal. The device MaiaFR measures the air temperature near the nostrils of the animal and infers the respiratory rate based on the number of oscillations of this signal. Initially, this device were developed for cattle and, to prove the concept, were used high-cost components. In this project, we intent to improve this device to create a commercial version. The goals of this project are to make this device lightweight, cheap, easy to install, easy to adapt to several animals, and, most importantly, to not interfere with natural animal behavior. The new version of the device MaiaFR will be tested in animals from different species and breeds. (AU)