SheepTag
Semester
3
Duration
4 Months
Tools
Figma, Adobe Cloud
Semester project exploring solutions to protect sheep herds from wolf attacks – with the understanding that the real challenge isn’t the wolf, but how we coexist.
Introduction
With Germany’s growing wolf population, sheep farmers face increasing challenges. SheepTag combines technology with practical application to create a sustainable solution.
Relevance
Context
Wolf attacks on livestock have risen in recent years. In 2023, 89.6% of wolf-killed animals were sheep or goats, with an average of 4.5 animals per attack. These incidents occur most in areas where wolves are newly settling, and farmers haven’t adapted. Proper herd protection can reduce losses.
Source: https://www.dbb-wolf.de/wolfsmanagement/herdenschutz/schadensstatistik (last visited 2023)
User Research
Insights
We conducted multiple expert interviews with representatives from sheep farming organizations, hobby hunters, shepherds, and the NABU, all of whom had direct experience with herd protection. These were some of our key insights:
Sheep instinctively group together when threatened, enabling focused monitoring
Wolves adapt quickly to fences and scent-based deterrents, making static solutions ineffective
Farmers prefer simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-integrate solutions
Herd dogs play a crucial role, but their training and upkeep are costly
The main challange is balancing herd protection with ecological responsibility
Outcome
Outcome
SheepTag is a modular, cost-effective system that integrates into existing farming practices. It includes three key elements:
Sheep-Wearable
Tracks heart rate, GPS, and sounds to detect stress, danger, and flock formation during threats. It’s modular, rechargeable, and worn by 30% of the flock for precise monitoring.
Camera System
Positioned at forest borders and key fence points to verify alarms and minimize false positives. Cameras can be added modularly, depending on the farmer’s needs.
Mobile App
Displays real-time health and location data, tracks the flock’s position (scattered or clustered due to danger), sends danger warnings, and facilitates farmer collaboration.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
SheepTag
Semester
3
Duration
4 Months
Tools
Figma, Adobe Cloud
Whether you're looking for inspiration, tutorials, or fresh perspectives, there’s something here for everyone.
Introduction
With Germany’s growing wolf population, sheep farmers face increasing challenges. SheepTag combines technology with practical application to create a sustainable solution.
Relevance
Context
Wolf attacks on livestock have risen in recent years. In 2023, 89.6% of wolf-killed animals were sheep or goats, with an average of 4.5 animals per attack. These incidents occur most in areas where wolves are newly settling, and farmers haven’t adapted. Proper herd protection can reduce losses.
Source: https://www.dbb-wolf.de/wolfsmanagement/herdenschutz/schadensstatistik (last visited 2023)
User Research
Insights
We conducted multiple expert interviews with representatives from sheep farming organizations, hobby hunters, shepherds, and the NABU, all of whom had direct experience with herd protection. These were some of our key insights:
Sheep instinctively group together when threatened, enabling focused monitoring
Wolves adapt quickly to fences and scent-based deterrents, making static solutions ineffective
Farmers prefer simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-integrate solutions
Herd dogs play a crucial role, but their training and upkeep are costly
The main challange is balancing herd protection with ecological responsibility
Outcome
Outcome
SheepTag is a modular, cost-effective system that integrates into existing farming practices. It includes three key elements:
Sheep-Wearable
Tracks heart rate, GPS, and sounds to detect stress, danger, and flock formation during threats. It’s modular, rechargeable, and worn by 30% of the flock for precise monitoring.
Camera System
Positioned at forest borders and key fence points to verify alarms and minimize false positives. Cameras can be added modularly, depending on the farmer’s needs.
Mobile App
Displays real-time health and location data, tracks the flock’s position (scattered or clustered due to danger), sends danger warnings, and facilitates farmer collaboration.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
SheepTag
Semester
3
Duration
4 Months
Tools
Figma, Adobe Cloud
Whether you're looking for inspiration, tutorials, or fresh perspectives, there’s something here for everyone.
Introduction
With Germany’s growing wolf population, sheep farmers face increasing challenges. SheepTag combines technology with practical application to create a sustainable solution.
Relevance
Context
Wolf attacks on livestock have risen in recent years. In 2023, 89.6% of wolf-killed animals were sheep or goats, with an average of 4.5 animals per attack. These incidents occur most in areas where wolves are newly settling, and farmers haven’t adapted. Proper herd protection can reduce losses.
Source: https://www.dbb-wolf.de/wolfsmanagement/herdenschutz/schadensstatistik (last visited 2023)
User Research
Insights
We conducted multiple expert interviews with representatives from sheep farming organizations, hobby hunters, shepherds, and the NABU, all of whom had direct experience with herd protection. These were some of our key insights:
Sheep instinctively group together when threatened, enabling focused monitoring
Wolves adapt quickly to fences and scent-based deterrents, making static solutions ineffective
Farmers prefer simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-integrate solutions
Herd dogs play a crucial role, but their training and upkeep are costly
The main challange is balancing herd protection with ecological responsibility
Outcome
Outcome
SheepTag is a modular, cost-effective system that integrates into existing farming practices. It includes three key elements:
Sheep-Wearable
Tracks heart rate, GPS, and sounds to detect stress, danger, and flock formation during threats. It’s modular, rechargeable, and worn by 30% of the flock for precise monitoring.
Camera System
Positioned at forest borders and key fence points to verify alarms and minimize false positives. Cameras can be added modularly, depending on the farmer’s needs.
Mobile App
Displays real-time health and location data, tracks the flock’s position (scattered or clustered due to danger), sends danger warnings, and facilitates farmer collaboration.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.
Flock Overview
Tracks sheep locations using wearables. Clustering patterns can indicate potential danger.
Vital Data
Shows heart rate, activity, temperature, and noise per sheep to detect anomalies and peaks.
Sightings
Report or view wolf sightings, with time-based ranges to assess their possible location and risk.
Alerts
Notifies farmers of potential danger with a summary of the situation and recommended actions.