Introduction

The intelligent integration of AI

At Lely, innovation is in our DNA We continuously develop, test, and introduce cutting-edge solutions to enhance efficiency and animal welfare on your farm. With the integration of AI, we're ushering a new era in dairy farming. Introducing the AI Calving Monitor and AI Barn Monitor, part of our Yellow Revolution Lely Zeta concept. These advanced tools act as an extra pair of eyes in your barn, helping ensure that as a dairy farmer you can enjoy peace of mind. Lely Zeta relies on cameras, LED lighting, AI, and smart algorithms to recognise and locate cows and mobile barn robots. It monitors and reports on the health of the cows, without you having to be in the barn all the time.

USP's Zeta

  • Insight into cow health

    Insight into cow health

    Lely Zeta serves as an extra pair of eyes in your barn, providing invaluable data insights, from monitoring cow behaviour to tracking the precise location of cows and barn robots.  

  • Detection of cows in heat

    Detection of cows in heat

    Efficient farm management requires accurate heat detection. The AI Barn Monitor’s heat function monitors aspects such as walking patterns and the variety of locations in the barn to determine if a cow is in heat. In this case, you receive a notification via an app.

  • Monitoring the Calving Process

    Monitoring the Calving Process

    A successful calving process is crucial for both the mother cow's new lactation cycle and the newborn calf's start in life. Zeta monitors the calving process and warns you promptly if intervention is required.

Vision video Zeta

Into the future with Lely Zeta

Technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, expanding the potential of AI, Lely Zeta harnesses this power by generating and collecting a wide range of data and insights from the barn, which are useful for decision-making on the farm of the future. Our vision for Zeta centres around offering cows access to pasture. In the coming years, we will continue to expand and refine the Zeta concept to further support dairy farmers. Future enhancements will include early health problem detection, more detailed calving process monitoring, feed intake registration, and more efficient scheduling of multiple mobile barn robots. Thanks to updates via the internet, newly developed functionalities are easy to incorporate. 

A Lely Zeta AI barn monitoring machine hangs from the dairy barn ceiling. Cows are visible in their stalls, with blue rectangles indicating they are being monitored.

Features

AI Barn Monitor

Zeta consists of a network of fixtures. Each fixture consists of various components, including a camera, LED lighting, a Wi-Fi antenna, and integrated minicomputer. The processed data from each minicomputer is then bundled in the central Zeta system. Zeta uses AI to study specific behaviour, including detecting cows in heat and managing mobile barn robots. An app sends you a notification if intervention is needed.

Notification on phone by zeta

The AI Barn Monitor’s heat function monitors aspects such as walking patterns and the variety of locations in the barn to determine if a cow is in heat. If the system identifies a cow in heat, it sends you a notification.

Managing mobile barn robots

Coordinating mobile autonomous barn robots with the places where cows are present in the barn allows the robots to do their work efficiently without disturbing cows. Zeta anticipates your needs, taking action when appropriate.    

Dynamic lighting by zeta

One of Zeta’s key features is LED lighting. This lighting helps the camera make clear images. A special ‘full moon’ mode was developed for night, which provides just enough twilight to make the system work without disturbing your livestock. The lights switch between daylight and moon mode according to set time schedules. 

Locate cows; spot on with lely zeta

Zeta’s accurate location determination helps you find that one cow that needs extra attention without delay. In addition to displaying her position, the cow is literally put in the spotlight.  If the cow moves, the spotlight follows her, so you can quickly see where you need to be. 

Notification on phone by zeta
Managing mobile barn robots
Dynamic lighting by zeta
Locate cows; spot on with lely zeta

AI Calving Monitor

You can suspend an individual fixture above the calving pen. Utilising advanced AI, Lely Zeta is trained to recognise the stages of calving and detect contractions accurately. You can easily monitor all cows on your phone, and identify those experiencing contractions, indicated by a contraction score. When calving really begins, you'll receive a notification. If complications arise and the process takes too long, an alarm will alert you. Whether you’re resting or working on other tasks in the barn, Lely Zeta keeps watch, ensuring you're informed promptly. 

A Lely Zeta AI calving monitoring machine hangs above a calving pen.

This is how Zeta works

Insight into cow health, wherever you are

  • A network of fixtures

    Lely Zeta consists of a network of fixtures. Each fixture consists of various components, including a camera, LED lighting, a Wi-Fi antenna, and integrated minicomputer. The processed data from each minicomputer is then bundled in the central Zeta system.  The fixtures are suspended above the cows in the barn. providing a birds-eye overview.

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  • AI and intelligent algorithms

    A complete overview is created by using the power of AI and advanced algorithms to track cows and mobile barn robots. A simple ID tag, such as an ear tag, combined with antennas in the milking robot, passageways, or water troughs, ensures each cow is accurately identified. All collected data is processed and displayed in a user-friendly app.

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  • Dynamic Lighting

    The LED lighting enhances camera visibility and illuminates the barn. It features customisable lighting schemes, including a spotlight function. The ‘full moon’ mode provides just the right amount of light at night, ensuring optimal system performance without disturbing the cows.

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How can we help?

Farmers all over the world make choices about how they set up and run their farms. Every day, we help them make the best choices for themselves and their farms. We do this by providing advice and innovative solutions that contribute to efficient farm management as well as sustainable milk and meat production, present and future.