Acoustic Technology Revolutionizing Sheep Care

Acoustic Technology Revolutionizing Sheep Care Sheep health is often at the mercy of costly veterinary visits. Researchers at Olds College in Alberta are pioneering the use of artificial intelligence and acoustic technology to revolutionize the management of sheep health. The innovation is the imPulse Una, a compact device no larger than a computer mouse, developed by Level 42 AI, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up with Canadian ties through Vibrome in Edmonton. Dr. Yaogeng Lei, a researcher at Olds College’s Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production (TACLP), explains that the technology originated as part of a sheep parasite study. “The non-invasive nature of the device was really important,” Lei explains. “We integrated it into our parasite program and found that it could classify healthy and infected animals based on how their bodies responded to parasites, not by detecting the parasites themselves.” What sets the imPulse Una apart is its ability to capture a panoramic spectrum of sound, from infrasound (frequencies below human hearing) to ultrasound (high-frequency waves used in medical imaging). When pressed against a sheep’s body, the device detects vibrations from internal organs, including those inaudible to the human ear. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, the imPulse Una analyzes these vibrations, filtering out environmental noise and focusing on subtle acoustic signals that reveal health status. The AI’s analytical power enables farmers to monitor heartbeats, respiratory patterns, and intestinal activity through frequencies previously accessible only with sophisticated lab equipment. For Canada’s sheep industry, which faces unique challenges due to its small scale and high veterinary costs, the imPulse Una holds particular promise. Pregnancy checking, crucial for farm planning, is often skipped because of logistical and cost constraints. Olds College’s pilot study used the device to identify pregnant ewes and count fetuses, providing valuable data that could help farmers improve productivity and animal welfare. The results are promising, and larger-scale studies are already being planned. The research team believes the imPulse Una opens new possibilities for sheep producers worldwide by providing a fast, affordable, and accurate way to detect health problems early without relying on a veterinarian. “It gives farmers the power to test their sheep directly,” Lei says. “This could be a major advantage in Canada, where livestock vets are few and often specialize in cattle.” Yet, as Dr. Lei cautions, further research is needed before the device can be widely adopted on farms, particularly in real-world settings. Olds College’s work is part of a global initiative led by Level 42 AI, spanning 13 countries and involving collaborations with the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan. Their long-term goal is to refine AI models that diagnose not only sheep but also humans, dairy cows and horses. Unlike traditional veterinary imaging equipment, which is often bulky and expensive, the imPulse Una is designed to be accessible and affordable, with a current manufacturing cost of about $450 CAD. Prices are expected to continue falling as production scales up. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dr. Yaogeng Lei, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, 4500 50 St., Olds, Alberta, Canada T4H 1R6 (ylei@oldscollege.ca; www.oldscollege.ca).

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