The major aim of the WELL-E chair will be to combine remote sensing by cameras and sensors with megadata and artificial intelligence to facilitate early detection of health problems.
Imagine cows roaming freely in a barn equipped with cameras and sensors linked to artificial intelligence in a system that predicts their mood and lifespan. Implementing such a system is the mission of the new Research and Innovation Chair in Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence (WELL-E), created jointly by McGill University and UQAM thanks to $5 million in funding over five years.
“It’s a live digital laboratory that will work with producers to give them new tools,” says Elsa Vasseur, Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at McGill University. She is co-holder of the chair, which will receive technical and financial support from several partners, including Les Producteurs de lait du Québec (PLQ) and the Lactanet dairy herd improvement centre, as well as the Novalait consortium of Quebec milk producers and processors.
Happier, healthier cows, more profitable farms
Elsa Vasseur is Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at McGill University and co-holder of the Research and Innovation Chair in Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence (WELL-E).Alex Tran
It takes two years for cows to reach maturity and produce milk — or an average of three years in Canada — which gives farms very little time to turn a profit. The goal of the WELL-E Chair is to make the lives of farmers simpler by improving the longevity of dairy herds and helping them to identify the animals that are the least prone to disease and injury.
“Producers need their cows to be productive, but also to be happy and healthy for as long as possible. The three are linked,” explains the animal welfare specialist whose previous work strongly influenced the overhaul of the Canadian dairy industry’s code of practice in 2023. The updated code recommends increasing opportunities for movement for cattle by allowing them to roam freely in areas set up in a cowshed, or in outdoor exercise areas.
The major aim of the new chair will be to combine remote sensing by cameras and sensors with megadata and artificial intelligence. The approach is unique in that it brings together Vasseur’s expertise in assessing animal behaviour and well-being with that of her co-chair, Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo, a professor in UQAM’s computer science department who works on new artificial intelligence technologies.
Training the next generation of interdisciplinary specialists
The goal of the project is to structure the collection, storage, transfer, analysis and presentation of data in the barn so that farmers can make use of it. “The idea is to detect early signs of physical and mental health that are not visible to the naked eye, but which could be detrimental to the well-being and longevity of cattle, and to help farmers anticipate any problems that may arise.”
This large-scale project will include the input of some 50 graduate students and undergraduates from McGill and UQAM. “We will be introducing future computer scientists to the realities of livestock farming, while our animal science students will be able to explore data management and digital agriculture. In fact, we are training the next generation of interdisciplinary specialists.”
This chair also marks another first. In addition to contributions from the Dairy Farmers of Canada and Lactanet, a pan-Canadian network of milk recording and dairy production expertise, WELL-E receives support from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “Ontario producers had never invested in a Quebec initiative on this scale before,” says Vasseur. “We are positioning ourselves both nationally and internationally. There aren’t many research projects with this scope.”
McGill has long been a centre of dairy expertise
WELL-E brings together Elsa Vasseur’s expertise in assessing animal behaviour and well-being with the expertise of her co-chair, Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo, a professor in UQAM’s computer science department, who works on new artificial intelligence technologies. Louis-Charles Dumais
McGill University has always been committed to improving practices and yields in Quebec’s dairy industry. Its Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue operates the last dairy farm on the island of Montreal and has won numerous awards of excellence. Since 1907, a wide range of research has been carried out here on topics ranging from feed and nutrition to poultry biosecurity and rural engineering.
One McGill researcher in particular, Professor John E. Moxley, was instrumental in modernizing Quebec’s dairy industry. In 1966, he set up a dairy herd analysis service that produced detailed reports on cow performance based on data collected on farms and computer-based infra-red milk analysis technology. It was a resounding success, evolving into Valacta, a centre of expertise in dairy production with its headquarters in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
Valacta is now one of the three founding partners of the Canada-wide Lactanet network that will supply the WELL-E Chair with data. Valacta has hundreds of employees across Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, including at its head office in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. “Valacta still exists, even though we’ve taken on the Lactanet brand,” says Elsa Vasseur, who sits on Valacta’s board of directors as a representative of McGill University. “Valacta has its own funding and provides dairy expertise for all of Canada.”
Dairy producers in Montérégie to join project next year
The WELL-E Chair continues to bring in new players from Quebec’s dairy industry. So far, only the dairy farm on the Macdonald Campus has been involved. In a few months, the chair will also include a second cowshed in Ontario. In 2025, it will use the Université de Montréal campus network in Saint-Hyacinthe to ramp up operations by bringing on board some hundred producers in the Montérégie region.
“We need to get the commercial farms to participate as soon as possible, because we exist to make sure that knowledge is transferred quickly between the university and the community. That’s our vocation.”
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
