A team led by Assistant Prof. Chun-Chi Chen of the Department of Animal Science at National Chiayi University (NCYU), together with master’s and doctoral students Chen Po-Chia, Hsu Yi-Chen, and Chang Yi-Le, participated in the 8th Green Idea Invention and Design Fair with their project, “AI-Powered Estrus Detection,” and won the Gold Medal in the General Invention Division. The award highlights the innovative achievements of NCYU faculty and students in applying artificial intelligence technology to livestock management.
Held at Cheng Shiu University (CSU), the competition was jointly organized by CSU and the International Innovation and Knowledge Invention Association. A total of 191 teams from eight countries and regions, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia, competed in the event, showcasing 191 innovative projects. The competition featured three divisions: the General Invention Division, the Youth Invention Division, and the Design Division, covering a wide range of fields including artificial intelligence, smart healthcare, smart manufacturing, green energy, net-zero carbon emissions, and the circular economy. The event highlighted the strong momentum in innovation, research and development, and design across Asia. Among the entries, AI-related projects saw the most significant growth in number, encompassing technologies such as generative AI, intelligent image recognition, smart inspection, autonomous control, and intelligent decision-making systems. This reflects the growing importance of digital transformation and sustainable development guided by environmental, social, and governance principles in contemporary innovation, research, and development.
Estrus detection in sows plays a critical role in swine reproduction, directly affecting breeding efficiency and overall reproductive productivity on pig farms. Currently, most conventional pig farms in Taiwan still rely on manual estrus detection, with experienced farm staff entering pig barns daily to observe each sow’s vulvar condition and behavioral signs. However, a single skilled worker can inspect only a limited number of sows each day. Large-scale pig farms housing around 10,000 pigs often require multiple dedicated workers, contributing to rising labor costs. In addition, manual inspections are limited to specific times of day, making round-the-clock monitoring difficult. Failure to identify the optimal breeding window may result in prolonged nonproductive periods and fewer litters per sow annually, ultimately affecting farm productivity.
Assistant Prof. Chen stated that the “AI-Powered Estrus Detection” system incorporates AI-based image recognition technology and uses the YOLO object detection model to detect estrus in sows. The system enables farm personnel to monitor sow behavior and physiological signs in real time, improving the accuracy of breeding decisions and the efficiency of reproductive management. Further integration with smart monitoring, automated management, and data analytics systems could support the transition of pig farms toward smarter, less labor-intensive, and more digitalized farming. Such advances could drive further innovation and enhance productivity and sustainable competitiveness in Taiwan’s livestock industry.
NCYU will continue to advance interdisciplinary research integrating artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, smart livestock farming, and biotechnology. The university will encourage faculty and students to address industry needs through innovative research and development, expand the use of AI technologies in livestock management, smart farming, and precision agriculture, foster industry-academia collaboration and technology transfer, and cultivate internationally competitive talent in science and technology. Construction has begun on the “Smart Pig House” at NCYU’s Animal Experiment Farm. The facility will feature smart technologies, environmental controls, and a strong focus on animal welfare, creating a highly biosecure, modern environment for swine production. Through this initiative, NCYU aims to contribute to the smart, digital, and sustainable development of Taiwan’s agriculture while fulfilling the university’s mission of social responsibility and industrial innovation.
Photo 1: The NCYU Department of Animal Science team won the Gold Medal in the General Invention Division at the 8th Green Idea Invention and Design Fair, demonstrating its strong capabilities in innovative research and development in smart livestock farming.
Photo 2: The
Gold Medal certificate awarded to the “AI-Powered Estrus Detection” project in
the General Invention Division at the 8th Green Idea Invention and Design Fair.