The Gujarat state government is launching a pilot project in Ahmedabad that connects CCTV footage of stray cattle to an artificial intelligence model. This innovative system aims to identify the animals and trace their owners in real time.
AI Centre of Excellence Takes Charge
The AI Centre of Excellence, based in Gandhinagar's GIFT City, has commissioned an agency to develop this specialized AI model. An official statement explained the current process used by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). At present, the AMC relies on a network of CCTV cameras to capture images of cows. Workers then manually identify these animals using microchips and RFID tags.
This manual identification process consumes significant time and energy. To accelerate the task, authorities are now incorporating AI technology. The agency tasked with development has presented suggestions for resolving the stray cattle issue through a deep learning model.
How the AI System Works
The new model integrates images captured by CCTV cameras with the AI system to identify cows and their owners instantly. A computer-vision deep-learning model will scan each cow's face, focusing primarily on the unique pattern of its nose. The system will also record distinctive marks or scars around the eyes and face.
After capturing these identifying features, the AI matches the animal against a comprehensive database to pinpoint the owner. Approximately 1.10 lakh cows in Ahmedabad already have RFID tags and microchips. The AMC maintains this detailed database of registered cattle.
Cameras Across the City
Cameras installed at 130 key junctions across Ahmedabad are capturing photos of stray cows as part of this initiative. This forms a crucial component of the government's broader plan to reduce cow-related accidents and enhance public safety.
The project also aims to establish a data-driven monitoring system for better urban management. By leveraging artificial intelligence, authorities hope to create a more efficient and responsive approach to handling stray cattle in the city.
