Multisensory system for non-invasive monitoring and measuring of laboratory animal welfare

Abstract

This paper presents a novel, cost-effective multisensory system designed for animal monitoring in research settings. The system aims to objectively assess animal welfare and discomfort during experiments, addressing the need for affordable monitoring solutions in research laboratories. Developed and validated in compliance with European regulations on animal experimentation and in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Research Centre at the University of Alcala´ in Madrid.

The system integrates Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and Arduino Uno boards with various sensors, including temperature, humidity, ammonia, airborne particles, and an RGB camera. A user-friendly web interface allows remote monitoring and management of the system. This innovation promises to improve the efficiency and feasibility of animal research, enabling more precise and ethical experimentation while advancing scientific knowledge and animal welfare.

KEYWORDS:

• Animal monitoring
• low-cost
• embedded platform
• Raspberry Pi
• multisensory system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

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Additional information

Funding

This work was partially funded by the Community of Madrid through the Investigo Program (NextGenerationEU, Regulation EU2021/241) and through the Jóvenes Investigadores project (ref. F664) of the Rey Juan Carlos University, and by Contract Art. 83 of Welfare in Animal Research Group of the University of Alcalá with the company Rettenmaier Ibérica. The APC was funded by the Rettenmaier-UAH Research Chair in Welfare on Animal Research.