Every year, thousands of young U.S. dairy calves embark on cross-country journeys. Recently, two Canadian entrepreneurs introduced a novel technology aimed at improving the comfort of these farm animals during transportation.
“Transport Genie” is an electronic sensor system that employs artificial intelligence to oversee the micro-climate within livestock trailers. Utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT), this technology continuously monitors the conditions inside livestock trailers from the loading phase through transit and even while animals are held at packing plants.
Transport Genie collects a wide array of data from within the trailers, encompassing parameters such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, ammonia, vibration, and surface temperature. Users have the flexibility to establish their preferred thresholds for these variables. Should these predefined levels be surpassed, the system promptly notifies both the driver and any other designated managers who wish to be informed.
Managers also gain real-time insight into the load’s location. The system maintains an electronic record of all activities that occur during the entire journey.
The sensors can also be connected to other machinery to automatically initiate stress-reduction devices such as fans or misters. This enables the driver to concentrate on driving, eliminating the need to operate additional equipment or make frequent stops to assess the animals’ well-being.
All trailers are adaptable for the installation of these sensors, but the company is also working in partnership with trailer manufacturers in The Netherlands and Canada to integrate this technology directly into the initial construction of their trailers.
Calves represent just one of the livestock segments that Transport Genie serves. This technology has the capability to monitor transport conditions and improve the well-being of various species, including older cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, and even racehorses.
So far, Transport Genie has seen extensive research and utilization in countries like Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, the EU, Australia, and the Philippines. Nevertheless, the sensors are designed to seamlessly integrate with data systems globally. The company is also making progress in the United States, where it recently showcased its capabilities to the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
Transport Genie is actively involved in a comprehensive study aimed at measuring and validating the Thermo-Assisted Drying and Decontamination (TADD) system. This system is integral to a biosecurity protocol designed to ensure that livestock trailers undergo thorough sanitation, thus preventing them from becoming potential vectors for disease transmission.
Although they do produce their own sensors, Transport Genie primarily identifies itself as a data and information company, rather than an equipment manufacturer. The sensors are essentially the tools used to collect the truly valuable product, which is the data itself.
“We essentially offer reassurance through the use of data and predictive analytics to different stakeholders in the animal protein food supply chain,” explained Joel Sotomayor, President and CEO of Transport Genie, to AgFinance Network. “We can guarantee that everyone involved in the transportation aspect of food production is making every effort to deliver animals to their destination under stress-free conditions.”
In 2019, Transport Genie received recognition as one of the recipients of Ontario’s Excellence in Agriculture Awards.