Latest news with #trackingtechnology
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Headbutting goats wrecking dairy researchers' study
BBC Researchers at a university hope that ear tags that track movement and behaviour will help to improve the welfare of dairy goats, however the animals are doing their best to thwart the project. The study is led by Harper Adams University in Shropshire, alongside Reading University and technology company SmartBell. The tags are already used in calves across the agricultural industry to provide early detection of health issues. But Dr Holly Vickery admitted the technology support team were struggling to understand why the tags kept on resetting and think it could be "because the goats are headbutting each other". "I'm surprised that the goats haven't eaten them," she said. The tags are orange and oblong shaped, and sit in the animals' ear with their normal numbered tag. "It's a bit like a Fitbit... it's got an accelerometer in it, and what it's doing is... it's tracking movement," said Dr Vickery. Behaviours that can be detected include lying down time, rumination, eating behaviours and general activity. The tags could also be used for the early detection of health issues and better responses to environmental factors like extreme heat. In cows, more "lying time" could signal that the animal is lame. "The goats are very different to work with, but broadly the behaviours that we want to look at are the same," said Dr Vickery. "The algorithms have to be tweaked because the goats display the behaviours in a slightly different way." This project involves a trial with 40 of the ear tags fitted to goats on a farm in Somerset. Dr Vickery said she would like to see the technology incorporated into animal welfare assessments in the future. "It would give much clearer data to consumers who want to make really informed decisions," she said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Agriculture Goats
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Harper Adams study hopes ear tags will improve goat welfare
Researchers at a university hope that ear tags that track movement and behaviour will help to improve the welfare of dairy project is led by professionals from Harper Adams University in Shropshire alongside Reading University and technology company tags are already used in calves across the agricultural industry to provide early detection of health Dr Holly Vickery admitted there had been a technical issue. "At the minute, I've got my tech team, and they're working really hard on figuring out why the tags keep resetting, which we actually think might be because the goats are headbutting each other," she said. "I'm surprised that the goats haven't eaten them."The tags are orange and oblong shaped, and sit in the animals' ear with their normal numbered tag. "It's a bit like a Fitbit… it's got an accelerometer in it, and what it's doing is… it's tracking movement," said Dr that can be detected include lying time, rumination, eating behaviours and general activity. The tags could also be used for the early detection of health issues and better responses to environmental factors like cows, more "lying time" could signal that the animal is lame."The goats are very different to work with, but broadly the behaviours that we want to look at are the same," said Dr Vickery."The algorithms have to be tweaked because the goats display the behaviours in a slightly different way."This project involves a trial with 40 of the ear tags fitted to goats on a farm in Vickery said she would like to see the technology incorporated into animal welfare assessments in the future."It would give much clearer data to consumers who want to make really informed decisions," she said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The new state-of-the-art technology Man United will bring to Old Trafford to help player analysis
Manchester United will install state-of-the-art tracking technology at Old Trafford and Carrington after renewing their partnership deal with STATSports. The fixed infrastructure will be in use at the stadium and training ground following Monday's announcement that United's stars will continue to wear the Apex 2.0 GPS performance trackers. Insiders said it will remove the need for portable beacons and enable the club's analysts to monitor the players in action more accurately, saving coaching staff up to 20 hours a week which can now be spent on deeper analysis or providing better feedback. United said in a statement that the new agreement 'reinforces the club's commitment to implementing best-in-class performance hardware solutions'. Ed Leng, head of physical performance at United, added: 'At Manchester United, we're always looking to push the boundaries of player performance. 'Wearable trackers are a vital part of that process, and we're grateful for STATSports' continued support and partnership. 'Their Apex 2.0 trackers will enable us to unlock deeper insights across all men's and women's players spanning all training environments, from academy to first team. 'By expanding our fixed infrastructure at Carrington, Old Trafford and Leigh, we'll enhance real-time tracking capabilities helping us to better prepare, develop, and protect our players.' Sean O'Connor, co-founder of STATSports, said: 'Manchester United are a benchmark for ambition and excellence. 'This supplier partnership renewal is a testament to their belief in the value of high-performance and our role in delivering it. 'Apex 2.0 trackers enable United's staff to obtain up-to-date accurate information in respect of player availability, individual development and team performance. 'With the addition of fixed infrastructure across both training and matchday environments, we're helping embed a world-class performance culture across every touchpoint.'
BBC News
18-06-2025
- BBC News
Stolen Land Rover tracked down by Epping couple using tech
A couple managed to find their stolen car using tracking Taylor and his wife's Land Rover Discovery was taken from their driveway in Epping in the early hours of 8 pair tracked it using a remote security app and an Apple AirTag, and found it later that day completely stripped down at an industrial unit in Dagenham, east Taylor said it was a "nightmare" and Essex Police said it was investigating the theft. The 57-year-old admitted he was a "geeky techy dad" but told BBC Essex: "I only helped the police. It's not like I identified any criminal masterminds." Mr Taylor said his doorbell camera showed evidence of the car leaving the family home at 01:15 BST, and the Land Rover remote app recorded the car arriving in Enfield, north London, about 30 minutes arrived at the estate off Selinas Lane in Dagenham at 03:57, according to the Taylor said he realised the car had disappeared from the driveway while having his morning coffee."I shouted up to my wife to check she hadn't moved it and then called the police," he given the couple already had location information, they drove to the estate with their son, where they could see the car through gaps in the doors of an industrial unit."It was completely in bits; it's a shell," he from the Met Police joined them at the scene and gained access."It's a nightmare. We can't really live without it and it's been the family car - been on holiday with us - takes us to work," he said."It's central to our lives in that regard, and suddenly its not there." An Essex Police spokesperson said: "At this stage, no arrests have been made and we're following a number of targeted lines of inquiry and we're in contact with Mr Taylor and keeping him updated."Figures for the force show that in the last 12 months to the end of May, the number of thefts of motor vehicles reported decreased by almost 10%.In the same time frame, the number of incidents being solved increased by more than 120%, the force added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
