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Animal friendly and durable attachment for the future

Markusson, Oskar LU (2026) MMKM10 20242
Innovation
Abstract
This master thesis aims to improve the physical design of smart ear tags for animals. The focus was to minimize the risk of tags falling off or causing harm, while considering environmental and animal welfare aspects.
The project followed the methodology of Ulrich & Eppinger’s product development process, which included stages such as planning, concept development, and testing. Data collection involved qualitative interviews with farmers, surveys, and observational studies, complemented by competitor analysis and market research. Key challenges identified include the durability of existing tags, risks of environmental impact from lost tags, and the balance between secure attachment and animal safety.
Multiple concepts were developed... (More)
This master thesis aims to improve the physical design of smart ear tags for animals. The focus was to minimize the risk of tags falling off or causing harm, while considering environmental and animal welfare aspects.
The project followed the methodology of Ulrich & Eppinger’s product development process, which included stages such as planning, concept development, and testing. Data collection involved qualitative interviews with farmers, surveys, and observational studies, complemented by competitor analysis and market research. Key challenges identified include the durability of existing tags, risks of environmental impact from lost tags, and the balance between secure attachment and animal safety.
Multiple concepts were developed and tested using a custom-built obstacle course simulating farm condition. Testing of the evaluated parameters such as flexibility, ergonomic suitability, and resistance to environmental stress. Additionally, a factorial test was conducted to analyze the influence of specific design factors on the tags' performance. Results from this test highlighted the critical role of material flexibility and tag thickness in reducing the risk of tags snagging on obstacles.
The proposed solution contributes to better animal welfare, reduced environmental footprint, and enhanced farm efficiency. The findings provide a foundation for further development in the design of smart ear tags and support the adoption of sustainable and data-driven solutions in modern agriculture. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Markusson, Oskar LU
supervisor
organization
course
MMKM10 20242
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
language
English
id
9223401
date added to LUP
2026-03-02 15:23:51
date last changed
2026-03-02 15:23:51
@misc{9223401,
  abstract     = {{This master thesis aims to improve the physical design of smart ear tags for animals. The focus was to minimize the risk of tags falling off or causing harm, while considering environmental and animal welfare aspects. 
The project followed the methodology of Ulrich & Eppinger’s product development process, which included stages such as planning, concept development, and testing. Data collection involved qualitative interviews with farmers, surveys, and observational studies, complemented by competitor analysis and market research. Key challenges identified include the durability of existing tags, risks of environmental impact from lost tags, and the balance between secure attachment and animal safety. 
Multiple concepts were developed and tested using a custom-built obstacle course simulating farm condition. Testing of the evaluated parameters such as flexibility, ergonomic suitability, and resistance to environmental stress. Additionally, a factorial test was conducted to analyze the influence of specific design factors on the tags' performance. Results from this test highlighted the critical role of material flexibility and tag thickness in reducing the risk of tags snagging on obstacles.
The proposed solution contributes to better animal welfare, reduced environmental footprint, and enhanced farm efficiency. The findings provide a foundation for further development in the design of smart ear tags and support the adoption of sustainable and data-driven solutions in modern agriculture.}},
  author       = {{Markusson, Oskar}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Animal friendly and durable attachment for the future}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}