Design and Validation of an Autonomous IoT Collar for Bovine Monitoring in the Bolivian Altiplano

Abstract

This work presents the design and validation of an autonomous IoT collar for livestock monitoring in the Bolivian Altiplano. The device integrates motion, temperature, and environmental sensors into a compact platform powered by a solar energy system. A low-power wireless link enables continuous data transmission to a local gateway for remote visualization. The mechanical enclosure was 3D-printed with a bio-inspired internal pattern that improves impact resistance and overall durability. Compression, vibration, and water-resistance tests confirmed the structural reliability of the collar, while field trials demonstrated stable operation under real conditions. The embedded motionanalysis algorithm achieved a mean absolute error of 1.5 steps <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$(\mathbf{1. 1 {\%}})$</tex> and a correlation of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$r=0.969\left(R^{2}=0.939\right)$</tex>, effectively distinguishing locomotion from non-advance movements. These results confirm the system's robustness and accuracy, which provides a low-cost solution for continuous livestock monitoring in remote rural areas.