UWE Bristol research on AI and Animal Welfare was recently featured in an article in Science.org.
The article featured the research from Professor Mel Smith, Professor of Machine Vision and Co-Director of the Centre for Machine Vision on an AI-powered system designed to recognise individual pigs emotions and monitor their emotional and physical well-being in real time. Other members of the Centre for Machine Vision including Professor Lyndon Smith , Dr Ajmal Shahbaz, Dr Mark Hansen, Dr Wenhao Zhang , and Dr Disi Chen have also contributed to the research.
The IntelliPig system is currently being developed between UWE Bristol and Scotland’s Rural College. The system analyses the faces of pigs as they enter feeding stalls, using AI to identify any emotions the pig may be experiencing. With its ability to detect subtle facial expressions, IntelliPig can alert farmers if an animal needs immediate attention. The system is part of a larger trend where AI is used to decode animals’ emotional states—something humans have struggled with for centuries. While this technology is still evolving, it shows great promise in improving animal welfare. UWE Bristol are also working with Agsenze Ltd who hope to commercialise the technology developed as part of IntelliPig. UWE Bristol previously worked Agsenze Ltd to develop HerdVision.
In addition to recognising emotional signs, IntelliPig also aims to provide a general animal health check, including biometric identification, assessment of body condition, and a weight estimation.
By analysing the faces of animals—much like how researchers study human facial expressions—AI can determine the emotional wellbeing of that particular animal. The potential applications of this technology extend beyond farming, with AI already proving its effectiveness in monitoring pets, such as dogs and cats, for emotional triggers.
As the work at UWE Bristol demonstrates, the future of animal welfare could very well be shaped by AI, ensuring that animals receive individualized care based on their emotional needs. This system doesn’t just promise better care for farm animals; it could also redefine the relationship between humans and their animal companions, offering a new level of understanding and compassion.
Professor Mel Smith commented, “The ultimate aim is to ensure that animals not only live free of stress, but that they lead happy lives, too.”