Opportunities for ACI in PLF: Applying Animal- and User-Centred Design to Precision Livestock Farming

The fields of animal-computer interaction (ACI) and precision livestock farming (PLF) have emerged in parallel, distinct communities, but have many overlapping goals and concerns. PLF is concerned with the development of new technologies to improve livestock farming operations and outcomes, including improving the health and welfare of farm animals. However, unlike ACI, which has roots in the human-computer interaction field and thus incorporates many user-centred design methodological traditions, PLF research has emerged largely from engineering fields and is highly technology-focused. This work-in-progress paper discusses the opportunities to apply research and methodologies emerging from the ACI field to help improve the usability and overall utility of PLF technologies for both its human and animal users. We also discuss several ongoing projects from our research group that take this approach.