SK Telecom Co, South Korea’s leading wireless carrier, said on Monday that it has launched a cattle live-care service using its Internet of Things (IoT)-dedicated LoRa network that will help cattle farmers to monitor and manage their livestock in real time.

Developed in partnership with local biotech startup uLikeKorea Co., the live-care service will enable cattle farmers to monitor body temperature and potential hydrogen (pH) acidity level with a bio capsule injected into the stomach of a cow. The capsule loaded with a LoRa communication module will notify livestock owners any signs of illnesses in real time and the reproductive cycle of a dairy cow that would help them predict optimum timing of insemination. The temperature and pH information measured using the capsule is transferred to a server via a LoRa station, and if unusual symptoms are detected, a notice is sent to a cattle farmer’s smartphone or personal computer.

The service will also provide cattle owners with a data graph that tracks signs of an animal’s illness and breeding schedule through a smartphone application and personal digital devices.

Each bio capsule, which can be used up to seven years, costs 150,000 won ($130.4) and a separate usage fee is charged at 2,000 won per month for Korean native cattle and 3,000 won for dairy cows.

SK Telecom said it will install LoRa network for free of charge at cattle farms that purchase bio capsules.

By Lim Sung-hyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]