A team of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) students has once again demonstrated their concern for the livestock sector through a practical innovation in technology. Through the 2025 Student Creativity Program for Science and Technology Application (PKM-PI), they developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based communal incubator designed to optimize the care of newborn lambs. The innovation was implemented in collaboration with CV Cipta Visi Group in Magelang.
The team consists of Chintia Amalia (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) as team leader, along with members Sri Jayanti (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Ni Ajeng Sekar Arum (Faculty of Animal Science), Arthur Isa Nararia (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), and Nurhidayat Amarudin (Faculty of Engineering).
Addressing the stagnant growth of the sheep population in Indonesia, the team designed a device aimed at reducing lamb mortality, particularly among those born prematurely, rejected by their mothers, or affected by maternal mastitis.
The owner of CV Cipta Visi Group, Ryandara Syah Mahmuddin, noted that the farm typically loses two to four lambs every month due to insufficient intensive care.
“We need a tool that can optimize the environmental conditions required for lambs without overwhelming the caretakers,” said Mahmuddin.
In response to this need, the UGM team developed a communal incubator that can accommodate one to four lambs simultaneously, reflecting their natural tendency to live in groups.
The device is equipped with ventilation and fans for air circulation, a humidifier to maintain moisture levels, and a heater to sustain warmth.
“All parts of the incubator are covered with transparent glass to prevent stress in lambs, while the ventilation system allows periodic exposure to fresh air,” explained team leader Chintia Amalia on Thursday (9/10).
The incubator also features four milk holders based on an ad libitum feeding concept, allowing lambs to nurse naturally as needed. This setup ensures optimal nutrient intake without requiring constant supervision.
A key advantage of the communal incubator lies in its IoT-based integration, which enables remote monitoring through a smartphone.
Farm owners can control temperature, humidity, and feeding systems in real time from any location. The technology facilitates farm management, improves operational efficiency, and reduces labor demands.
“The prototype has already been placed in our partner’s sheep pen, though it still requires several refinements before it can operate optimally,” Amalia added.
She expressed hope that the adoption of this technology would reduce lamb mortality rates and enhance livestock productivity in a sustainable manner.
The innovation also has the potential to be replicated across various regions in Indonesia as a model for efficient, adaptive, and farmer-friendly IoT-based livestock technology.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Salma
Photographs: PKM Team on Communal Incubator and Freepik