TrackLab

Tracking methods


TrackLab is the best software for the recognition and analysis of spatial behavior. It allows you to work with a large number of subjects, and in a range of indoor and outdoor spatial contexts. TrackLab offers an end-to-end solution for real-time behavior analysis based on the newest tracking technologies.

 
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Automatic monitoring of health and welfare

TrackLab offers 24/7 continuous tracking, allowing you to monitor your animals for a longer period of time or during specific times of interest. This means that you can automatically monitor animal welfare, and health. TrackLab offers these advantages for your research: 

  • Integrated solution for indoor and outdoor tracking
  • Automatic data collection in different environments
  • Insights into social behavior, place-preference, and welfare and health indicators
  • No time-consuming manual observations
  • Objective measurements

Read more about the benefits of TrackLab!

 


Accurate and reliable tracking with our TrackLab solution

Spatial behavioral data is obtained with using the Ultra-Wideband technique (UWB) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The location of each individual is acquired by tags and sensors. All data is transferred in real-time to the TrackLab server for processing. Monitoring the animals and gaining behavioral insights can be done from a remote connection to the system.

The UWB tracking system is perfect for close-range high accuracy tracking. The anchors are placed indoors, and can even be placed outside of the barn in order to obtain insights in how frequent the outdoor area is used by your animals. When your animals are situated in a larger outdoor area, TrackLab uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) for collecting the spatial behavior data locations of the animals. 

 


Our tracking methods - UWB/GPS

Ultra-Wideband (UWB)

Ultra-wideband location data is collected with a Real Time Location System (RTLS). In combination with the UWB tags, this gives you highly accurate and reliable tracking, even in challenging environments. For the monitoring of your study subject, TrackLab locates the animals through triangulation; animals carry tags that communicate with wall-mounted sensors. The accuracy is dependent mostly on the environment and tag and anchor placement. Most of our systems achieve an accuracy between 10-30 cm. 

The UWB tags are compact and light (54x40x14 mm, 26 grams). They have been designed to survive challenging conditions, such as cattle barns with heavy animals, steel feeding racks, dust, dirt, acid, and moisture. There are other different solutions available to assemble and attach the tags to animals. Contact us for different applications.

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GPS

For tracking animals in outdoor larger pastures or feedlots, TrackLab uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) locations of the animals. Using tags on the animals (e.g. collar-based tags), data is transferred in near real-time through a local, long range digital wireless communication network (LoRa).
Outdoor animal location and activity is tracked using GPS tags and a U-blox SAM-M8Q receiver. In good conditions (open field, clear weather), this receiver has an accuracy of 2.5 meters. The tag battery is charged by a built-in solar panel.
   

Sampling rate

The sample rate of both tags can be adjusted. The UWB tags can be adjusted between 0.1 and 20 Hz. The GPS tags sample rate can be set to a maximum of 1/3Hz. For example, social behavior analysis typically requires a higher sampling rate than drinking behavior monitoring. For both systems are the tags rechargeable.

Both in the GPS and UWB solution it is possible to record accelerometer data. We are currently prototyping accelerometer-based behavior detection with the use of machine-learning techniques.

 


Integrated solution

TrackLab is a turn-key solution for indoor and outdoor tracking, and includes on-site installation, system calibration, and training.

 


Data analysis

Find out about all the versatile data visualization and analysis options in the TrackLab software or read more on our Resources page.