2024 9H Internship Program
At UplinkRobotics, in partnership with the 9H Research Foundation, we believe in mentoring the next generation of engineers through hands-on, impactful projects. In 2024, interns Rudy Nesvik and Salma Samet took on the challenge of creating a Cattle Weight Estimation App, gaining real-world experience in research, machine learning, and mobile app development while building the technical skills and confidence that will carry them into their future careers.
Meet The 9H Research Foundation
Discover the powerhouse organization that's transforming student experiences at the University of Wyoming
The 9H Research Foundation is a game-changing non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. With over $2 million invested in University of Wyoming programs, they provide students with unparalleled opportunities through funding for practical projects, scholarships, internships, awards, competitions, and prototype building. Their commitment to hands-on learning has been instrumental in making our internship program possible, providing not just financial support but also mentorship, resources, and a network of industry connections that have elevated our interns’ experiences to unprecedented levels.
Ready to learn more about the organization that’s changing the game for University of Wyoming students?
Rethinking Ranch Data
From Concept to
Proof of Feasibility
During Summer 2024, UplinkRobotics partnered with the 9H Research Foundation to host interns Rudy Nesvik and Salma Samet. Their challenge: design a practical way for ranchers to estimate cattle weight without hauling animals to a scale. The pair explored image-based measurement and data modeling to test whether a smartphone could capture usable weight estimates. Their work produced a functional proof of concept showing that accurate, photo-based weight prediction is possible using simple technology.
Finding What Works
In The Field
Rudy and Salma evaluated multiple methods including 3D scanning, photogrammetry, point clouds, and thermal imaging, testing each for cost, accuracy, and practicality. After comparing data collection platforms like drones, crawlers, and smartphones, they found the most viable approach was pairing smartphone images with a regression model based on real cattle measurements.
Turning Measurements
Into Math
Working with 41 female Angus cattle, the interns recorded body length, hip height, shoulder height, and weight. Using 36 data points for training and 5 for validation, they built a regression model using body length as the predictor. The model achieved an adjusted R² of 0.74 and an average error of 5% on the validation data, showing strong potential for estimating weight from simple measurements.
Testing Pixel-Based Estimation
To adapt the model for field use, Rudy and Salma developed a pixel method using the cattle’s ear tag as a reference scale. By marking the tag and body points in an image, they could estimate body length in pixels and convert it to inches. Testing this approach showed an average error of 12% for body length and 26% for weight, variations largely caused by camera angle and cattle movement.
Developing HerdScale
Turning Research Into A Working App
Rudy and Salma turned their research into HerdScale, an Android prototype that helps ranchers estimate cattle weight from a single photo. Users input details, capture a side image, and mark key points to calculate weight through their regression model.
Two rounds of field testing showed steady progress. After early calibration issues, updates like a zoom function improved accuracy. The second round, tested on four market steers, achieved an average error of 22%, proving the concept’s real-world potential.
Practical Innovation In Action
The project showed that accurate livestock weight estimation can come from simple tools, not expensive sensors. With continued development, features such as automatic calibration, breed-specific models, and herd tracking could make HerdScale even more powerful.
By combining fieldwork, coding, and problem solving, Rudy and Salma created a practical proof of concept that reflects the spirit of the 9H Internship, building solutions designed for the way Wyoming works.