Since 1984, Urban equipment has been making farmers’ work easier, ensuring that animals stay healthy and vital and that diseases are detected early on. Body temperature is an important health indicator for calves. So far, the measured temperature data mostly had to be recorded manually. With their new mobile device, Urban intends to bring about a change. The device measures, records and evaluates body temperature and transmits it to a central evaluation system.
Urban was facing several challenges: from housing construction, hardware selection, sensor technology, data processing to the development of an embedded GUI, which was a relatively new field for Urban. It quickly became clear that Urban had to bring experts on board in order to get a good product to market. And so, together with other project partners, we became part of this great project. Our support consisted of developing the GUI with our Embedded Wizard tool. In a constant dialogue and an agile process, we were able to overcome all the challenges together with other project partners. The clinical thermometer – Urban VitalControl – was introduced to the world in 2018.
The mobile, battery‑powered clinical thermometer VitalControl combines a wide range of functions in a compact device, providing optimal support for farmers in their daily animal health checks. By scanning the animal transponder, all collected data is automatically assigned to the respective calf. Body temperature is measured and immediately evaluated using a color‑coded indication within the normal temperature range. In addition, the device enables a visual assessment of the animal, allowing an easy evaluation of its general health condition or specific criteria such as feed intake, feces, or respiratory diseases. Clear and intuitive graphics display temperature trends as well as the overall health status of the animal. Furthermore, individual control lists can be created to perform targeted and regular checks. Via USB or Bluetooth, VitalControl seamlessly connects to third‑party systems and transmits the collected data to a central evaluation system. Based on this information, alarm lists are generated to quickly identify conspicuous animals and enable faster response when immediate action is required.
VitalControl optimally supports farmers in their routine tasks and helps make sure that animals stay healthy. For this innovation, Urban VitalControl was awarded the Innovation Award of the EuroTier 2018 in silver by the DLG. We congratulate Urban and look forward to further exciting joint projects.
