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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-09-08 Daily Xml
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Augmented Reality Technology

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister update the chamber on how augmented reality technology is being used to assist farmers to recognise emergency animal diseases?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:48): I thank the member for his question, and his ongoing interest in this topic. I am very pleased to advise the chamber that world-leading augmented reality (AR) technology developed in South Australia is being used to assist producers to recognise emergency animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease in sheep.

Funded through the state government's Red Meat and Wool Growth Program, and Animal Health Australia, the Sheep Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) AR tool has been developed by South Australian innovative immersive technology studio Think Digital, in collaboration with Animal Health Australia and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

The tool, members might be interested to know, generates a flock of augmented reality sheep, providing an opportunity for the user to identify the sick animal by looking for signs and symptoms of exotic AED diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue, scrapie and sheep pox. The tool is now available on both the App Store and Google Play and can be downloaded by searching for sheep EAD AR, to benefit the Leader of the Opposition, who is clearly trying to search the term. With the heightened risk of emergency animal disease, the launch of this world-first cutting-edge tool could not be more timely. This tech will be an extra tool in the preparedness work being done to fight against these diseases.

What is really important to note is that the diseases that are featured in this augmented reality tool are not diseases that have been in Australia before, so most primary producers and others who work on farm are not necessarily familiar with the signs and symptoms to look for. Tools like this will help to educate and increase awareness, helping producers to be more vigilant with their on-farm biosecurity practices. It is important to know that it is not a diagnostic tool; it is an educative tool so that people can become more familiar with what to look for.

It is exciting—very exciting—that this technology was developed right here in South Australia. It is well timed for our primary industries here, but also it is generating international interest, especially in Europe. According to Dr Robert Barwell, head of program biosecurity at Animal Health Australia, this exciting simulation tool, along with an associated information package, will result in higher levels of engagement and ultimately improved awareness.

Feedback from user testing has been that the tool is easy to navigate and engaging to use, leading to better awareness of these diseases and the action required if suspected. I was delighted to be able to try out this augmented reality tool just, I think, last week at the Growing SA conference. It was quite interesting. It took a little while to get used to, but not very long. You could actually see the sheep in front of you and appear to be touching them, looking at the leg that might have demonstrated a limp or something similar.

I had the additional benefit of having the goggles to use, but if you download it you can still do it on a tablet or, I think, on an iPhone. It is imperative that workers across the agricultural sector can spot suspicious signs in animal behaviour and be aware of and comfortable with how to report so that we can remain vigilant against emerging animal diseases.

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