ENTERPRISING MIND
Innovator makes game changing animal tracking device
In a world where technology continually shapes lives, a 35-yearold inventor from Lotlhakane East, Johnson Ramotswaiso has created an animal tracking device that he believes can aid in protecting animals from theft.
Ramotswaiso’s enduring passion for protecting livestock and his determination to make a positive impact in the country, inspired him to create the tracking device named ‘My Track Mate.’ This battery-operated device aims to enhance animal security.
In an interview with The Midweek Sun this week, Ramotswaiso stated that the device is versatile and can be employed with various animals, including cattle, goats, dogs, and even wild species like elephants and zebras. The device uses small AAA batteries but he recommends his clientele to opt for rechargeable batteries for prolonged usage.
“The tracking device is also waterproof and operates through an App installed on a smartphone. This App displays the location and temperature of the tracked animal,” he explained. The device can even indicate if the animal is dead, as it will detect abnormal temperature readings.
Ramotswaiso dedicated 13 years to developing the idea for the tracking device with the assistance of software engineers from India.
“I shared my ideas and what I had created, and they played a significant role in developing the device into a fully-fledged tracking object,” Ramotswaiso explained.
He revealed that the device originated as a dream, driven by the pain of watching his family’s livestock disappear without a trace many years ago.
“I started brainstorming about animal tracking in 2011, and I’m pleased that it has evolved into a reliable device, endorsed in neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Zambia, where it is utilised in some of their agricultural universities,” he said.
After completing the tracking device Ramotswaiso sourced people to mend a durable belt for the device. He explained that farmers in Botswana are aware of the belt, and the only obstacle to the device’s proper functioning is their preference to use the belt in one cow among 50 herds.
“If a single tracking device is employed for one cow, it will exclusively monitor that specific cow, and the information communicated to the smartphone will pertain only to that cow. It is recommended to utilise multiple devices among large herds of cattle for comprehensive monitoring,” he said.
The tracking device costs P1000 each, but he offers a discounted rate of P700 for purchases of four devices or more.
Ramotswaiso aims to market his device internationally, noting that he is already establishing a clientele in India and Ireland. Farmers can interestingly use the phone to create specific zones, enclosing their cows within designated areas by establishing an imaginary boundary through the smartphone, preventing the animals from crossing beyond it.“Frequently, people inquire about the possibility of thieves tampering with the gadget by cutting the belt. In the event of a theft attempt, any abnormal movement detected in the protected animals triggers an alert, enabling the farmer to promptly check on the animals,” he said.
He advises farmers against relying solely on traditional methods for livestock care, emphasising the importance of incorporating smart gadgets like animal tracking devices, functioning as intelligent herd man.
Recognising that some farmers have abandoned cattle posts for safer locations, he highlights that the device is a solution, facilitating easy tracing of cattle to the kraal instead of searching without a proper trace.
Additionally, he mentions ongoing efforts to develop a similar device for locating school-going children.