THE COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way we work and communicate. Remote connectivity platforms have become an essential part of maintaining business as usual and it is likely these technologies will form the new normal for communication.
Apiam Animal Health has recently deployed a new high-resolution, live streaming headwear technology that enables veterinarians and technicians to provide remote consultancy. The device is hands-free and houses in-built microphones and headphones as well as a digital viewing screen. The technology allows a person on farm to wear the headset and live stream what they are seeing to a remote consultant such as a veterinarian.
Via this process, the producer is then able to achieve timely, accurate and in-depth discussion regarding their concerns. Imagine, if you will, having instant veterinary oversight at the flick of a switch? Example scenarios where this technology might be of use are real-time sick pig identification, welfare assessments (fit to load) and post-mortem examination. The device also boasts the potential of being a tool useful for on-farm training and auditing.
Breeding technicians would have a hands-free tool to demonstrate and record their heat detection and mating techniques. Producers would be able to live stream troubleshooting water medicators or pen walkthroughs. The hands-free and voice-activated functionality allows the user to safely perform tasks with their hands while still being able to stream live footage, capture still pictures and record important information.
While the device requires internet connectivity for live streaming, it has been designed to operate on low bandwidth and still provide high-quality video footage. Footage, pictures and data recording can also be performed in offline mode and uploaded at a later point when internet becomes available. Benefits of the headset device reach well beyond remote consultancy. The device can integrate with programs and applications to transform into an instructional and data-recording device.
Opportunities exist to access and view farm checklists and flow charts while performing daily duties and to record data through voice recognition technology – eliminating the need of paper records and double handling of data. Apiam’s feedlot sector has successfully used this device to provide instructional information to pen riders on identification and classification of sick animals. The veterinary team has also utilised the device to record detailed, voice command records of health examinations at abattoir visits.
If you would like to explore this technology, please reach out to your local Apiam Animal Health veterinarian or technician or call 03 5445 5999.
