Pig weight prediction system using RGB-D sensor and AR glasses: analysis method with free camera capture direction

• Published in: Artificial life and robotics 2023-02, Vol.28 (1), p.89-95
• Main Authors: Kawasue, Kikuhito, Wai, Pwint Phoo, Win, Khin Dagon, Lee, Geunho, Iki, Yusuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Augmented reality; Cameras; Computation by Abstract Devices; Computer Science; Control; Hogs; Mechatronics; Original Article; Robotics; Three dimensional models; Weight
• ISSN: 1433-5298; 1614-7456
• DOI: 10.1007/s10015-022-00827-x

Pig weights are important indicator for the healthcare and the economic operation of pig farms, and the development of a system to easily estimate these weights is desired. Although load cells are usually used for actual measurement in pig farms, it is not easy to guide pigs weighing more than 100 kg to the scales because many pigs do not like to get on the scales. Therefore, a convenient pig weight estimation system using RGB-D sensors has been developed. An RGB-D sensor (Intel Realsense D455) is used as the sensing device for weight estimation. Weight estimation is performed on 3D point cloud data of photographed pig images. When capturing pigs, it is desirable to have a constant camera orientation toward the pigs However, it is not easy to always capture from the same direction because pigs move around quickly in the piggery. A method with a high degree of freedom in the capture direction by exploiting pig symmetry of the pig’s body is introduced in this paper. The system is applied for a wearing device using AR (Augmented Reality) glasses. Experimental results show the feasibility of this system.