Livestock

The LMI Tracker 4000 3D Robot Milking Sensor

Using Time of Flight (TOF) technology the Tracker 4000 is the first 3D smart sensor designed for automated cow milking. The sensor collects live 3D range images, and generates accurate locations and orientations of the cow teats and milking cups to successfully guide cup attachments to cow teats using a milking robot.

  Automated milking in dairy farms is a rapidly expanding market. The robotic milking process not only frees up valuable time for the farmer, but also reduces cow stress resulting in a higher yield of milk. The Tracker 4000 is an industry first 3D sensor that enables new levels of performance in the challenging industry of automated milking robot control.

Features & Benefits:

  • STANDALONE 3D SMART SENSOR
    Integration of algorithms and calibration eliminates the need for external computers to process the real-time data.
  • TIME OF FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY
    The TOF principle provides a complete 3D topographical map with no moving parts, and with no laser. Laser scanners require the use of a mechanical scanning device to capture a full 3D image, which increases the time that is required to capture an image, and adds complexity while reducing reliability.  
    		 
  • SMALL FOOTPRINT
    Measured at 192.5 x 93.5 mm, and weighing only 1.6kg, the Tracker 4000 provides a compact and light sensor that can be easily mounted in tight spaces, such as a robot arm. When the sensor is attached to the robot arm, the robot-sensor system work together to obtain an unobstructed view of all the teats.
  • REAL-TIME DATA
    Incorporating TOF technology enables the sensor to continuously track cow teat locations, allowing this 3D smart sensor to make quick decisions to ensure that each milking cup is accurately guided to the cow teats for milking despite cow movement.
  • DESIGNED FOR COW MILKING ENVIRONMENT
    The Tracker 4000 smart sensor differentiates 3D target shapes without influence from colours, moving animals, in a naturally dirty environment: mud, straw, water, and other uncontrolled objects that may otherwise interfere with reliable operations of 3D sensors making it well suited to perform in the harsh dairy farm environment.
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