Artificial intelligence robot takes care of cows and pastures

An artificial intelligence robot has been created in Australia for use in livestock farming.

Researchers at the University of Sydney have created SwagBot, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robot that they say is on its way to making livestock farming more efficient and environmentally friendly while preventing land degradation.

SwagBot was first introduced in 2016 as a simple livestock robot capable of traversing rough terrain and is now equipped with sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning systems.

A battery-powered cow-shaped robot can now determine pasture quality and monitor livestock health, then use that information to move the herd to better pastures before the land it sits on is degraded, Reuters reported.

"Once the herd gets used to the robot, it will follow it around the pastures," said University of Sydney robotics professor Sala Sukarije, whose team created SwagBot.

Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of beef and has about 30 million head of cattle.

The use of robots in livestock farming in Australia is particularly suitable for remote locations where work is hard to find. /Telegraph/