Xsights backed by Mostyns

Agribusiness giant Craig Mostyn has led a $2 million investment round into Fremantle-based location and sensing data company Xsights.

The company, which started off five years in audience measurement for digital signage in retail outlets, has developed expertise in asset tracking which it is now focusing on live animal monitoring. 

It is a finalist in two categories in tonight's Innovator of the Year Awards, including the Business News 'Great for the State' Award.

Xsights is currently running a 1000-pig trial with its special ear tags that can measure temperature and monitor behaviour of animals at one of several major facilities Craig Mostyn has in WA.

The strategy is to collate data and then apply artificial intelligence to assess animal health risks in order to lower mortality and better target the use of medicines.

The study has been funded by a $1.2 million grant led by Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre.

Xsights managing director Steve Wildisen said the opportunities in the area were huge, with the live animal sector playing catchup on asset tracking because of the traditional cost of devices and the huge herd numbers involved.

“You can’t run at scale on an expensive system,” Mr Wildisen said.

He said the trial and other expected work around helping the state authorities develop better technology to trace animal movements for biosecurity purposes was aimed at proving the cost-effectiveness of the new breed of devices and reducing the paperwork burden in the sector.

He said the data collection process was similar to the audience tracking the company started out conducting by collecting anonymous data from mobile phones that lingered near advertising displayed on big screens in supermarkets.

Similarly, Xsights devices are used by mining companies to locate expensive pieces of equipment in real-time to reduce costly delays during maintenance and repairs.

Mr Wildisen said the Xsights model was a subscription fee, known as sensing as a service. The device would be free or very cheap, and ongoing payment was required to access the data.