At Momentum One Zero, researchers are pioneering the use of specialized AI technology to enhance chicken welfare, supported by a significant $1 million funding initiative from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and McDonald’s under the Smart Broiler program. The FlockFocus project leverages Momentum One Zero's state-of-the-art facilities and multidisciplinary expertise to provide vital welfare data to the poultry industry.
Led by Dr. Paul Miller, a specialist in video analytics from the Centre for Secure Information Technologies, and Professor Niamh O’Connell, a renowned expert in farm animal welfare from the Institute for Global Food Security, the project exemplifies the collaborative spirit and technological prowess at Momentum One Zero. This project is part of the broader initiative funded by the Belfast Region City Deal, enhancing our digital economy's volume and scope of innovation.
Project Goals
FlockFocus is developing a commercial farm management tool to objectively evaluate the welfare of broiler chickens, focusing on one of the most consumed meats globally. The tool’s insights help food companies optimize welfare standards. The project is currently undergoing trials with key industry players like Moy Park and additional partners in Hungary and the U.S., aiming to perfect this transformative technology.
Innovative Technology & Strategic Partnerships
Originating from crowd analysis research, our AI technology is adept at tracking and analysing flock behaviour, enabling the monitoring of large numbers of birds to assess their environmental engagement and interactions. This innovative approach not only pushes the boundaries of animal welfare but also showcases potential applications across various sectors.
The development phase benefits from the expertise of CattleEye, the world’s first hardware-independent autonomous livestock monitoring platform, focusing on data integration, use-case development, and system management. These partnerships underline our project's multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, driving significant global impact.
Global Impact and Future Outlook
FlockFocus is a flagship project under Momentum One Zero, demonstrating how secure connected intelligence can be practically applied to address real-world challenges effectively.
Dr. Miller sees the model of FlockFocus extending to multiple future projects, amplifying our capability to leverage advanced technology across agriculture, healthcare, ICT, fintech, and environmental sectors.