Based on the sensory system triggering car air bags, IceQube measures up/down, sideways and forward/backward movements – and even notes periods of no movement and lying times of the cow. It incorporates a memory that uploads all information into the parlour computer each milking. A research version is already used by universities and similar institutions in 25 countries.

This is the first commercial version, explains Robert Boyce, commercial director of engineering concern IceRobotics: “By profiling the precise movement patterns for each cow our software is able to give a herd manager very detailed information on cow health, not only when it is bulling. Early signs of foot trouble become very obvious, for instance.” Price: Under £85 per IceQube.