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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SERKET (Artificial Intelligence for Livestock Health Management.)

Teaser

Summary

SERKET is an innovative and disruptive Animal Recognition Software able to collect data using standard security cameras (already available in the livestock), analyze the data by a proprietary Artificial Intelligence algorithm that detects behavioral pattern anomalies and automatically define the best strategy for the livestock health management. SERKET uses deep learning technology to detect relevant animals in images and videos, keep track of the performance parameters of animals and hence monitor their health: starting with the huge amount of annotated data and trained neural networks, the models are used to produce inference able to perform animal detection and health monitoring. Basically, SERKET uses anomaly detection to identify the sick animal based on its abnormal behavior and support the farmers in the implementation of the most reliable, non-invasive and cost-competitive solutions.
The main benefits are:
1. Reduction of antibiotics usage - instead of treating all the animals with drugs and antibiotics, SERKET can early detect the ailments and focus only on the animals that need the treatment. With fewer antibiotics and drugs usage, the risk of the occurrence of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for the animals (and also for human) is prevented. Moreover, the reduction of antibiotics usage leads to a significant saving for farmers.
2. Reducing the mortality rate - according to Wageningen University and other health studies, SERKET solution can lessen the livestock mortality rate thanks to the deep learning based behaviour recognition system. This leads to a reduction in value losses and more sustainable solution to the farmers.
3. Support on livestock management - SERKET is capable of counting animals, of determining feed requirements and automatically adjusting liquid feeding systems.
4. Fulfill and prove of the compliance of the animal welfare conditions â€“ with the identification of the harmful and aggressive animal behavior (for example ear biting and tail chewing) in the pens, SERKET supports the farm audits.

Work performed

SME-Instrument Phase 1 project constituted the first step towards the achievement of the targets needed to industrialize and commercialize SERKET technology. The project was focused on the following main activities:
1. Assessing and comparing the best solution for the most expensive hardware component of SERKET system, i.e. the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU);
2. Selecting the first full-scale validation site;
3. Defining the certification procedure and detecting the third-party entities to be involved;
4. Defining the market size and needs, together with the potentiality extension of SERKET application in horizontal and vertical markets;
5. Assessing the competitive scenario, comparing SERKET performance with products proposed in the market of the Artificial Intelligence tools application for livestock;
6. Sealing partnerships with system integrators, distributors and other value chain partners;
7. Quantifying the financial needs for technology scale-up and market uptake, involving an investor for the financial support;
8. Selecting the Business Model and defining the go-to-market strategy;
9. Delivering the SWOT analysis and the main risks management strategy;
10. Defining the IPR strategy.

Final results

Next steps will be:
â— submitting the Phase 2 project;
â— starting the first full-scale validation campaign;
â— enlarge the validation campaign in 20 pig farms in Hungary, France, Italy and the Netherlands, thereby empowering the SERKET platform and reaching the critical mass needed;
â— promote and industrialize SERKET solution, and implement the Go-to-Market strategy.

SERKET technology will have an unparalleled impact in the swine industry, since it allows:
â— the reduction of the antibiotics usage thanks to the implementation of specific care (precision livestock farming) instead of massive and indiscriminate treatments, which also allowing a direct positive effect on the end-customers health;
â— the reduction of animals\' mortality and the improvement of the farms\' performance, allowing a more sustainable production;
â— the optimization of the pig farm management, allowing a cost saving for farmers and end-customers.
â— the optimization of the animal welfare requirements, allowing a better life for the animals and a transparent solution for the farmers, coherently with the last EU directives.