An automated animal feeding assembly includes a housing that may be positioned to be accessible to an animal. A turret is rotatably coupled to the housing. A plurality of tubes is provided and each of the tubes is positioned within the turret. Each of the tubes may contain animal food. A rotation unit is positioned within the housing. The rotation unit engages the turret such that the rotation unit selectively rotates the turret. A dispensing unit is positioned within the housing. The dispensing unit selectively urges the animal food outwardly from the tubes into the third well. Thus, the animal may consume the animal food. A control is coupled to the housing and the control may be manipulated. The control is electrically coupled to rotation unit and the dispensing unit. Thus, the control controls operational parameters of each of the rotation unit and the dispensing unit.

An animal interaction device is provided that includes a food access component which allows and disallows access to at least a portion of the food. In various embodiments, the allowing and disallowing of access to at least a portion of the food is dependent upon the animal's condition. A method is also provided such that the device above is provided to an animal, one or more indicators are optionally activated, the animal's first condition is sensed via one or more sensors, and based upon the animal's condition, the previously protected food is made accessible, and subsequently the protected food is made available again based upon the animal's second condition. A system is also provided for automatically interacting with an animal including at least one animal interaction device each of which comprises an initial interaction algorithm to automatically interact with the animal. Other aspects of the invention are provided.

An animal interaction device is provided that includes a food access component which allows and disallows access to at least a portion of the food. In various embodiments, the allowing and disallowing of access to at least a portion of the food is dependent upon the animal's condition. A method is also provided such that the device above is provided to an animal, one or more indicators are optionally activated, the animal's first condition is sensed via one or more sensors, and based upon the animal's condition, the previously protected food is made accessible, and subsequently the protected food is made available again based upon the animal's second condition. A system is also provided for automatically interacting with an animal including at least one animal interaction device each of which comprises an initial interaction algorithm to automatically interact with the animal. Other aspects of the invention are provided.

A method and system includes a bill of materials stored on a computer readable storage device, listing multiple components to be assembled. A mapping table is stored on a computer readable storage device having rows listing attributes of components of the bill of materials and a routing operation attribute identifying work centers or another unique attribute. A plurality of routing templates stored on a computer readable storage device, the routing templates identifying work centers and routing operations between work centers. A route generator utilizes the mapping table to map components from the bill of materials to a routing template and its operations.

A pet waste station with pet training features is disclosed. The waste station may include a turf surface and a urine collection funnel for channeling urine into disposable absorbing pads. The pads may be placed in a drawer beneath the funnel, allowing easy removal and replacement of the drawer. Odor control may include a compartment for deodorizers or other air fresheners. A sensor may be provided to activate one or more positive reinforcement rewards when the pet successfully urinates in the waste station, including dispensing of an edible treat and/or playing of an audio snippet, such as an owner's voice praising the pet.

An animal farm system includes a barn, animal related structures within the barn, such as a feeding alley and/or a milking system, and an autonomous vehicle arranged to perform an animal related action and move about in the barn. The vehicle includes a control unit to move the vehicle about, a position determining system for determining a position of the vehicle in the barn, a sensor system to determine a value of a parameter related to a position of the vehicle with respect to the barn or an object therein, such as the at least one structure therein, and a vehicle communication device. The control unit further is arranged to contain barn map information, and receive motion control and navigation information via the vehicle communication device.

A vehicle for performing an animal-related operation, in particular for use with cows, is delimited by an outer side. The vehicle includes an electrical shock device for emitting an electrical shock to an animal. The shock device includes at least one pair of elongate, electrically conductive strips which run substantially parallel to each other so as to leave clear an electrically insulating intermediate space in between and which extend at least along a portion of the outer side of the vehicle. The strips of the or each pair of mutually parallel strips each have a shape including first parts which extend in a first direction which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the elongate, mutually parallel strips, and including second parts which extend transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, with respect to the first direction. The shock device includes an electrical voltage source which is electrically connected to the strips in such a way that an electrically closed circuit is formed when the strips are electrically connected across the intermediate space, such as when both strips are touched by an animal.

A vehicle for performing an animal-related operation, in particular for use with cows, is delimited by an outer side. The vehicle includes an electrical shock device for emitting an electrical shock to an animal. The shock device includes at least one pair of elongate, electrically conductive strips which run substantially parallel to each other so as to leave clear an electrically insulating intermediate space in between and which extend at least along a portion of the outer side of the vehicle. The strips of the or each pair of mutually parallel strips each have a shape including first parts which extend in a first direction which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the elongate, mutually parallel strips, and including second parts which extend transversely, preferably substantially perpendicularly, with respect to the first direction. The shock device includes an electrical voltage source which is electrically connected to the strips in such a way that an electrically closed circuit is formed when the strips are electrically connected across the intermediate space, such as when both strips are touched by an animal.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.