The Animal Eye Simulator

Experience the barn through the eyes of a cow, a horse, a pig, or a sheep

Welcome to the Animal Eye Simulator. We developend this technology to visualize how cows, horses, pigs, and sheep likely perceive their environment. To do this, images captured by two cameras are projected onto video goggles and processed using a wide variety of filters, so that the wearer of the glasses can experience the animals’ visual perception:

  • Despite a large field of vision of more than 300º, the animals have tunnel vision because the edges of the visual field are blurred and fuzzy.
  • Compared to a human, they only have about 30 percent vision in the lateral field of vision.
  • The animals have a different color perception than humans; they cannot see red (dichromacy).
  • Contrasts are perceived more extremely.
  • Cows, horses, and sheep adapt to changing light conditions more slowly than humans do.
  • Cows and pigs are much worse at judging distances than humans.
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Anyone who has ever experienced firsthand how a cow, horse, pig, or sheep perceives its environment can better understand these animals and interact with them more effectively. Using the simulator can change people’s perception of animals, and housing systems can be optimally designed with animal welfare in mind. When problems with animals are no longer addressed through coercion but by using one’s eyes and ears to search for the causes, both the animal and the owner benefit equally from the technology of the animal-eye simulator. Riders who have already entered a horse trailer with our system can better understand the needs of the horses when loading.

The purchase of such a system does not make sense for every user. Therefore, you have the option of booking a visit from us with the simulator at your company.

We are very successful with our seminars on farms, horse ranches and slaughterhouses in order to convey the perception of animals to people, thereby strengthening animal welfare and making it easier to handle the animals. The reactions to our visits and lectures are consistently positive, please feel free to contact us. You will find our contact details below.

Within Germany, we also offer the simulators for rent so that you can use them at your events.

The Simulator

The simulator is operated with a specially developed 360º camera. Otherwise, the system consists of commercially available components: Virtual reality goggles and an upper mid-range laptop. The software we developed controls the components and displays the image captured by the special camera on the VR goggles and the laptop screen. Various settings can be changed during runtime, for example the animal's color vision, which is different from that of humans, can be switched on and off. We supply the camera and software required for operation, the rest of the hardware must be purchased by the customer.


VR goggles

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In principle, any pair of goggles can be used that can be configured as a second monitor of the computer system without additional drivers, e.g. via an HDMI connection. These glasses are also known as goggles and are often used in conjunction with drones. The software was developed with VR goggles from DJI, but these are no longer in production. We now recommend the use of the Skyzone SKY04X, the camera is mounted on a construction site helmet for which we manufacture special attachments. To a certain extent, the Skyzone allows use by several users with different visual acuity and eye distances without having to replace the lenses. It also has a ventilator that ensures a clear view at all times. These features are very important if groups are to work with the simulator.

Hardware requirements

The system was developed on HP notebooks from the ZBook series with an i7 processor and NVidia graphics card. The systems have an SSD and are well suited for use in the stable or on the pasture. If you want to use a different computer, it should meet the following requirements:

  • At least six processor cores, preferably eight.
  • Clock frequency at least 2.5 GHz.
  • At least 8GB RAM, preferably 16GB RAM.
  • NVIDIA graphics card with CUDA support.
  • Two USB 3.0 interfaces for the cameras. At least 650 mA must be available per interface to power the cameras.
  • HDMI video output for connecting video glasses.
  • The HDMI video output must be configurable as a second video output, not as a mirroring of the screen. You see different outputs on the two screens, an extension of the desktop, so to speak. Just as if you were working with a "normal" computer with two screens.
  • The laptop battery should have a capacity of 70Wh or more.
  • Screen resolution of the primary screen (this is the internal, i.e. the panel of the notebook) at least 1280x1024 pixels, HDMI output up to 1920x1080 pixels.
  • An SSD hard disk is strongly recommended. If only the simulator is to be operated, 256 GB capacity is sufficient.
  • Operating system at least Windows 10 Professional, Windows 11 is recommended.

Although the system will theoretically run on any computer that meets these requirements, it has only been tested and developed on the HP systems mentioned above. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the system will work as intended on every computer.

If possible, the computer should be operated as a standalone system and not integrated into the company's IT. This makes both operation and maintenance much easier.

Camera and accessories

The camera consists of two individual cameras for industrial use. We produce the housing in small series using 3D printing.

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The camera is connected to the laptop via two USB 3 cables. The cables are supplied in sufficient length. The camera is mounted on the construction helmet using 3D printed parts. To simulate smaller animals such as pigs or sheep, the camera is attached to a rollator using specially designed mounts.

Outlook

In early 2023, the horse simulation was presented at the Dillenburg State Stud. In July 2024, we released the pig simulation and successfully deployed it at Vion Food. At the turn of the year 2024/2025, the simulator was enhanced with audio software that can measure ultrasound and make it audible to humans.
In September 2026, we will introduce the sheep simulation. This will also feature a modified mounting system on the walker. Customers who have purchased an update subscription will receive software feature updates free of charge as soon as they are released.

Seminars and on-site visits

Benito

If you are interested in a visit to your facility, a lecture, or a seminar, we would be happy to assist you. Both Benito Weise and Peter Menzel offer seminars. In addition to working with the simulator, Benito Weise offers a comprehensive theoretical component on sensory perception and behavior in cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep, while Peter Menzel covers the practical aspects of livestock farming and, together with Dr. Petra Hubrich, offersseminars for horse owners and enthusiasts.

If you decide to purchase a simulator system after our visit, part of the price for our visit will be credited toward the purchase price.

For further information, appointment inquiries and price information, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Renting the simulator

If you only plan to use the simulator occasionally—for example, at events or trade shows—we offer the option to rent the system. We’ll deliver the system along with detailed instructions, a laptop, and VR goggles, so you can get started right away. Unfortunately, we can only offer this service within Germany, as shipping to other countries would cost more than the rental fee. Use in pig barns is not permitted.

Source, info and support

Camera and software can be purchased from us. Optionally, an update subscription can be taken out. Please contact Mr. Menzel or Mr. Kellermann. We are available at the following address before and after the purchase for questions or price information:

The system can be tested on-site by arrangement.

IMPORTANT: Notice Regarding Shipments to EU Countries Starting August 12, 2026

When the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) takes effect on August 12, 2026, shipping very small quantities to other EU countries will entail significant additional costs and bureaucratic requirements (including the appointment of packaging officers, registrations, and reporting obligations in the respective countries). Given our low volume of shipments, these costs significantly outweigh the economic benefits.

For this reason, we are temporarily suspending all shipments of our animal eye simulator to other European countries.

For customers in countries bordering Germany, we offer the option of in-person pickup without packaging or pickup at the national border - provided this is logistically feasible. Deliveries to more distant regions are not currently possible.

We are thus joining the ranks of many smaller retailers whose businesses are being destroyed by the EU’s nonsensical regulations. As a result, a product that promotes animal welfare will no longer be accessible to many people in Europe. Thanks for nothing.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

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Installation and update

Click here to go to the Animal Eye Simulator download and update page. Here you will find instructions for installing the accessories for the rollator, which is used for smaller animals such as pigs or sheep.

 

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