Publications
2023
Predicting the outcome of Thoroughbred stallion matings on the basis of dismount semen sample analyses
Robert John Aitken, Sarah Lambourne, Ashlee Jade Medica
2023
Predicting the Outcome of Equine Artificial Inseminations Using Chilled Semen
Ashlee Jade Medica, Sarah Lambourne, Robert John Aitken
2022
Comparison of different methods to access bull sperm concentration: are there options to be compared to NucleoCounter®
Mariana Karla Francolino da Silva, Marcelo Sant'Ana Borges, Rafael Rocha de Paula, Luis Felipe Canela de Souza, Fabíola Aparecida Afonso, Larysse Aparecida Alves, Edmilson Paulino Pytilak, Marizete Mendes Souza, André Maciel Crespilho
2021
Assessment of an iPad-based sperm motility analyzer for determination of canine sperm motility
Evelyn Bulkeley, Christine Collins, Azarene Foutouhi, Kris Gonzales, Heather Power, Stuart Meyers
2020
Cryptorchidism in free-living jaguar (Panthera onca): first case report
Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto, Maitê Cardoso Coelho da Silva, Antonio Carlos Csermak-Júnior, Jorge Aparecido Salmão-Júnior, Gediendson Ribeiro de Araújo, Gustavo de Oliveira, Lucas Leuzinger, Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto, Thyara de Deco-Souza
2019
Validation of a portable device (iSperm®) for the assessment of stallion sperm motility and concentration
Pouya Dini, Lucas Troch, Isabel Lemahieu, Peter Deblende, Peter Daels
2019
Technical Note: The use of iSperm technology for on-farm measurement of equine sperm motility and concentration
Christa R Moraes, Erin E Runcan, Bryan Blawut, Marco A Coutinho da Silva
2019
Paper-Based Resazurin Assay of Inhibitor-Treated Porcine Sperm
Matsuura K, Huang HW, Chen MC, Chen Y, Cheng CM
2018
Validation and application of a tablet app for equine semen analysis
J.R. Crabtree, A.R. Hawes, L. Morgan, K.L. Burton, J.M.E. Statham, T.R.V. Matson
2018
Investigation Into Predictors of Stallion Fertility and Associations With Oxidative Damage
R.A. Griffin, A. Swegen, J.R. Aitken, Z. Gibb
2017
Relationship between Porcine Sperm Motility and Sperm Enzymatic Activity using Paper-based Devices
Matsuura K, Huang HW, Chen MC, Chen Y, Cheng CM
Publications
2023
Predicting the outcome of Thoroughbred stallion matings on the basis of dismount semen sample analyses
Robert John Aitken, Sarah Lambourne, Ashlee Jade Medica
2023
Predicting the Outcome of Equine Artificial Inseminations Using Chilled Semen
Ashlee Jade Medica, Sarah Lambourne, Robert John Aitken
2022
Comparison of different methods to access bull sperm concentration: are there options to be compared to NucleoCounter®
Mariana Karla Francolino da Silva, Marcelo Sant'Ana Borges, Rafael Rocha de Paula, Luis Felipe Canela de Souza, Fabíola Aparecida Afonso, Larysse Aparecida Alves, Edmilson Paulino Pytilak, Marizete Mendes Souza, André Maciel Crespilho
2021
Assessment of an iPad-based sperm motility analyzer for determination of canine sperm motility
Evelyn Bulkeley, Christine Collins, Azarene Foutouhi, Kris Gonzales, Heather Power, Stuart Meyers
2020
Cryptorchidism in free-living jaguar (Panthera onca): first case report
Pedro Nacib Jorge-Neto, Maitê Cardoso Coelho da Silva, Antonio Carlos Csermak-Júnior, Jorge Aparecido Salmão-Júnior, Gediendson Ribeiro de Araújo, Gustavo de Oliveira, Lucas Leuzinger, Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto, Thyara de Deco-Souza
2019
Validation of a portable device (iSperm®) for the assessment of stallion sperm motility and concentration
Pouya Dini, Lucas Troch, Isabel Lemahieu, Peter Deblende, Peter Daels
2019
Technical Note: The use of iSperm technology for on-farm measurement of equine sperm motility and concentration
Christa R Moraes, Erin E Runcan, Bryan Blawut, Marco A Coutinho da Silva
2019
Paper-Based Resazurin Assay of Inhibitor-Treated Porcine Sperm
Matsuura K, Huang HW, Chen MC, Chen Y, Cheng CM
2018
Validation and application of a tablet app for equine semen analysis
J.R. Crabtree, A.R. Hawes, L. Morgan, K.L. Burton, J.M.E. Statham, T.R.V. Matson
2018
Investigation Into Predictors of Stallion Fertility and Associations With Oxidative Damage
R.A. Griffin, A. Swegen, J.R. Aitken, Z. Gibb
2017
Relationship between Porcine Sperm Motility and Sperm Enzymatic Activity using Paper-based Devices
Matsuura K, Huang HW, Chen MC, Chen Y, Cheng CM
Newsroom
FARMERS WEEKLY | April 15, 2022
How mobile sperm analyser helps improve pig fertility
Since investing in the iSperm in November, Mr Thompson has already seen positive results. The farrowing rate is now running at more than 90%, compared with 85% before using the kit. The number of pigs born alive has also lifted by one across the three breeds on farm. Although many factors can affect fertility, he puts the improvements down largely to the iSperm. This is because it is helping improve the semen collection process, and the concentration and quality of semen inseminated is better because the data is more accurate.
The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care | MAY 17, 2020
Study: Mobile App Gives Reliable Equine Semen Analysis
“It’s amazing how parallel the two systems are, meaning you can rely on the mobile system as much as the fixed laboratory system (for real-time results),” said Peter Daels, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECAR, ACT, of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Gent University in Merelbeke, Belgium.
A new study carried out by Gent University and the De Morette Equine Reproduction Center in Asse, Belgium, showed that the “iSperm” system provided stallion sperm analysis results in the field that were within 10% of the results obtained by AndroVision and NucleoCounter SP‐100 laboratory devices. These fixed devices aren’t portable and cost upward of 20,000 euros ($23,000). The iSperm, however, works with an iPad and an app, bringing the cost and portability within reason for use in breeding farms or by veterinarians working with breeders, he explained.
A new study carried out by Gent University and the De Morette Equine Reproduction Center in Asse, Belgium, showed that the “iSperm” system provided stallion sperm analysis results in the field that were within 10% of the results obtained by AndroVision and NucleoCounter SP‐100 laboratory devices. These fixed devices aren’t portable and cost upward of 20,000 euros ($23,000). The iSperm, however, works with an iPad and an app, bringing the cost and portability within reason for use in breeding farms or by veterinarians working with breeders, he explained.
The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care | APR 21, 2018
Breakthroughs for iSperm in 2018: Industry Recognition & Studies
A relentless four-year effort in market and product development of the iSperm(TM) has resulted in significant industry recognition for both Aidmics Biotechnology Co., Ltd. And Breeder’s Choice, Inc. The iSperm is a portable animal semen evaluation system interfacing with an Apple iPad Mini 4. Notable events for the iSperm in 2018 include FDA registration in the United States, approval from Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan, and successful completion of an academic study by the Theriogenology Laboratory of Ohio State University comparing equine semen results of iSperm with recognized standard laboratory equipment.
With increased industry recognition, iSperm will be represented at important industry trade events around the world, aiming to create impact in the animal reproduction industry. During the upcoming 2018 Therio Conference in Milwaukee, WI, researchers from Ohio State University will present a paper describing their findings. iSperm has been adopted by independent vets, academic institutes, and clinics mostly for field use in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
With increased industry recognition, iSperm will be represented at important industry trade events around the world, aiming to create impact in the animal reproduction industry. During the upcoming 2018 Therio Conference in Milwaukee, WI, researchers from Ohio State University will present a paper describing their findings. iSperm has been adopted by independent vets, academic institutes, and clinics mostly for field use in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
e27 | JUL 30, 2015
You ignore Asia at your own peril: Web Summit Founder
In Taipei, it was exciting to discover the depth of engineering talent in hardware. In other markets hardware startups are relatively rare. But in Taiwan, with its illustrious OEM heritage of building for others, there is a new wave of young hardware companies drawing on a deep pool of talent. At RISE I am looking forward to seeing, for example, iLocky.com, a startup with a bit of kit that turns RFID door locks into smart locks and Aidmics which is aiming to turn your smartphone into a fully-functioning microscope.
e27 | DEC 22, 2015
Can Taiwan achieve another miracle with hardware startups?
“In other markets, hardware startups are relatively rare. But in Taiwan, with its illustrious OEM (original equipment manufacturer) heritage of building for others, there is a new wave of young hardware companies drawing on a deep pool of talent,” says Web Summit Founder Paddy Cosgrave, after praising local hardware startup talents such as iLocky and Aidmics.
Fast Company Co.Design | AUG 5, 2015
This Device Helps Farmers By Turning iPads Into Sperm Analyzers
The Taiwan-based startup Aidmics Biotechnology has a new invention: a system that analyzes livestock sperm. Essentially, it turns an iPad into a powerful microscope and diagnostic tool at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Here’s how the iSperm works: Attach the optical lens in front of the iPad’s camera, prep a semen sample, affix to the lens, and use the app to take a video of the sperm and measure the concentration and motility. The greater the concentration and motility, the stronger the sperm and the more likely it will inseminate an egg. Aidmics is targeting the iSperm to animal husbandry. Agriculture is an industry that’s technical innovation has largely ignored, and Silicon Valley is taking note. In May 2015, Google Ventures invested $15 million into finding ways data analysis can improve crop yields and resource efficiency.
The Economic Times | JUL 24, 2015
iSperm: The mirage of a spermanent solution
A new Taiwanese device called the iSperm – which handily clips on to iPad minis – puts those wiggly spores on candid camera and offers practically instant analysis on their vitality and motility, along with 7-second recording and data storing options. The move to extend its market from the livestock business to human males may well have been spurred by data showing that it led to a 20% rise in birthrates among pigs in Taiwan.
International Business Times | JUL 23, 2015
iSperm – Device For Analyzing Breeding Success Rate – May Be Used By Humans Soon
Aidmics, a startup company from Taiwan, has finally found a way to show what babies look like even before they were created. The Taiwanese company has invented a device which they called iSperm. This device – which is believed to have already been sold to nearly 200 farmers from all over the globe, according to Reuters – is being used to analyze sperm counts of boars. That way, farmers get to maximize the success of their breeding programs. iSperm functions by magnifying the semen samples that are placed into a tube. The tip of this tube is then dipped into the sample and is capped. A separate light source will illuminate the sample, a microscope will enlarge it, and all of the results will be captured by an iPad camera.
Boing Boing | JUL 22, 2015
iSperm: sperm analyzer for iPad
Taiwanese med-tech firm Admits hopes to get FDA approval to bring its iPad-based livestock sperm analyzer to the US for at-home human fertility testing. It's called the iSperm and I'm sure Apple will be just fine with that. The iSperm essentially a microscope that attaches to the iPad combined with an app that measures sperm count and motility. Of course you can also watch the sperm swim on the screen. “Our pregnancy success rate increased by 20 percent after we started using this gadget,” pig farmer Sam Wang told Reuters.
Cult of Mac | JUL 21, 2015
iSperm for iPad wants to help you make a baby
iSperm started out life as a product designed to help livestock farmers, although the company behind it is now in the early stages of seeking FDA approval to expand its use to men. The FDA has previously been said to take an “almost hands-off approach” to devices intended to promote health. The human-centered microscope is set to cost between $100 and $200 when it is launched. The associated app will offer instant fertility measurements, along with live visuals of the sperm.
Reuters (UK) | JUL 17, 2015
DIY fertility testing goes digital with Taiwan's iSperm
iSperm was released commercially last August and has sold nearly 200 sets to farms around the world. It isn’t the first at-home sperm tester but the only one that offers instant fertility measurements combined with live visuals of the sperm. Video: http://www.reuters.com/video/2015/07/17/clip-on-ipad-fertility-tester-brings-spe?videoId=364981796.
Malay Mail Online (Malaysia) | JUL 17, 2015
Count your sperm: DIY fertility testing goes digital with Taiwan’s iSperm
Call home, check your email, count your sperm: Taiwanese start-up Aidmics is hoping to cash in on the US$40 billion global human fertility market with an iPad compatible gadget it calls iSperm. Aidmics initially developed the product to help livestock farmers, but founder Agean Lin now plans to seek US Food and Drug Administration approval next year to expand its use to men.
VTV (Vietnam) | JUL 17, 2015
(Video) Isperm: Dụng cụ kiểm tra tinh trùng bằng iPad
Theo công ty Aidmics - công ty phát triển ra Isperm, sản phẩm này có thể đáp ứng được nhu cầu to lớn của ngành chăn nuôi. Hiện, 200 bộ sản phẩm Isperm đã được bán cho các trang trại chăn nuôi ở Trung Quốc, Hàn Quốc, Tây Ban Nha và Hà Lan. Công ty này đang nỗ lực để hoàn thiện hơn nữa sản phẩm đặc biệt này, nhằm phục vụ cho sức khỏe con người trong tương lai không xa.
Tech in Asia (Singapore) | JUL 15, 2015
This smart gadget is helping farmers analyze pig sperm. Yours could be next
For farmers, pigs are the richest part of the livestock industry, explain Jolanda Hsu and Mavis Hong from Aidmics, a startup that grew out of a project at National Taiwan University (NTU). The startup’s gadget, iSperm, is a smart piece of hardware consisting of a microfluidic chip (that’s the testing part) and a high-resolution microscope (the analysis part) that ties to an app. It looks more like some kind of fancy camera lens, and comes with the case that the microscope holds onto.
DIGITIMES | JUN 10, 2015
Aidmics iSperm inspection device for pig sperm
At Computex Aidmics Biotechnology showcased its iSperm, which inspects pig sperm. It is a tool for animal husbandry. Aidmics said it has sold over 100 iSperm devices since its launch, with Taiwan and non-Taiwan markets each accounting for 50%.
Australians (Australia) | JUN 4, 2015
Taiwan’s Computex computer fair does it again
Apple’s iPad Mini has a new role at Computex: analysing the sperm quality of bulls, sheep, horses and other farm animals. Local start-up Aidmics Biotechnology is showcasing a high-resolution optical lens attachment that operates like a 200x microscope. You supply a sample and results show up in 17 seconds. An app provides you with sperm quality measurements such as concentration and motility. Aidmics says its sperm quality tracking has been approved by Taiwan’s Agricultural Technology Research Institute. The system cannot be used for testing human sperm as it doesn’t have any medical endorsements. Aidmics Biotechnology also has cute microscope attachment for smartphones that children can use to inspect bugs, butterflies, weeds and flowers.
DIGITIMES | JUN 3, 2015
Startups getting chance to shine at Computex
Aidmics Biotechnology is showcasing animal husbandry inspection products that are able to connect with smart mobile devices. Aidmics founder and CEO Agean Lin pointed out that the company currently has two major products, the uHandy, a mobile microscope device and iSperm, an inspection device for pig sperm. The iSperm allows animal husbandry players to finish swine sperm inspection within a minute and reduces their expenses over equipment by almost 90%. The iSperm is able to connect with mobile devices such as the iPad mini, and through software developed by Aidmics, and animal husbandry players are able to inspect sperm's morphology, concentration and motile rating
Computer World (Australia) | JUN 3, 2015 & CIO (USA) | JUN 2, 2015
Taiwan innovates in niche areas like cat feeders, sperm analyzers
Also on display at Computex was the iSperm, a mobile sperm analyzer that attaches to an iPad mini. The company behind the product, Aidmics Biotechnology, sees big potential in the market, said Mavis Hong, its sales manager. The first generation is built for farmers, wanting to analyze the reproductive health of their pigs. The analyzer is essentially a microscope optical lens that attaches to the iPad's camera. Farmers can take a sample of a pig's sperm, and place it on the microscope. To examine the sperm, the company has developed an app that can offer close-up views, and analyze the sperm's health. In the future, Aidmics wants to upgrade the app with better data analysis, and also expand the product to other animals such as deer, cows and one day humans.
Newsroom
FARMERS WEEKLY | April 15, 2022
How mobile sperm analyser helps improve pig fertility
Since investing in the iSperm in November, Mr Thompson has already seen positive results. The farrowing rate is now running at more than 90%, compared with 85% before using the kit. The number of pigs born alive has also lifted by one across the three breeds on farm. Although many factors can affect fertility, he puts the improvements down largely to the iSperm. This is because it is helping improve the semen collection process, and the concentration and quality of semen inseminated is better because the data is more accurate.
The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care | MAY 17, 2020
Study: Mobile App Gives Reliable Equine Semen Analysis
“It’s amazing how parallel the two systems are, meaning you can rely on the mobile system as much as the fixed laboratory system (for real-time results),” said Peter Daels, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECAR, ACT, of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Gent University in Merelbeke, Belgium.
A new study carried out by Gent University and the De Morette Equine Reproduction Center in Asse, Belgium, showed that the “iSperm” system provided stallion sperm analysis results in the field that were within 10% of the results obtained by AndroVision and NucleoCounter SP‐100 laboratory devices. These fixed devices aren’t portable and cost upward of 20,000 euros ($23,000). The iSperm, however, works with an iPad and an app, bringing the cost and portability within reason for use in breeding farms or by veterinarians working with breeders, he explained.
A new study carried out by Gent University and the De Morette Equine Reproduction Center in Asse, Belgium, showed that the “iSperm” system provided stallion sperm analysis results in the field that were within 10% of the results obtained by AndroVision and NucleoCounter SP‐100 laboratory devices. These fixed devices aren’t portable and cost upward of 20,000 euros ($23,000). The iSperm, however, works with an iPad and an app, bringing the cost and portability within reason for use in breeding farms or by veterinarians working with breeders, he explained.
The Horse: Your Guide To Equine Health Care | APR 21, 2018
Breakthroughs for iSperm in 2018: Industry Recognition & Studies
A relentless four-year effort in market and product development of the iSperm(TM) has resulted in significant industry recognition for both Aidmics Biotechnology Co., Ltd. And Breeder’s Choice, Inc. The iSperm is a portable animal semen evaluation system interfacing with an Apple iPad Mini 4. Notable events for the iSperm in 2018 include FDA registration in the United States, approval from Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan, and successful completion of an academic study by the Theriogenology Laboratory of Ohio State University comparing equine semen results of iSperm with recognized standard laboratory equipment.
With increased industry recognition, iSperm will be represented at important industry trade events around the world, aiming to create impact in the animal reproduction industry. During the upcoming 2018 Therio Conference in Milwaukee, WI, researchers from Ohio State University will present a paper describing their findings. iSperm has been adopted by independent vets, academic institutes, and clinics mostly for field use in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
With increased industry recognition, iSperm will be represented at important industry trade events around the world, aiming to create impact in the animal reproduction industry. During the upcoming 2018 Therio Conference in Milwaukee, WI, researchers from Ohio State University will present a paper describing their findings. iSperm has been adopted by independent vets, academic institutes, and clinics mostly for field use in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
e27 | JUL 30, 2015
You ignore Asia at your own peril: Web Summit Founder
In Taipei, it was exciting to discover the depth of engineering talent in hardware. In other markets hardware startups are relatively rare. But in Taiwan, with its illustrious OEM heritage of building for others, there is a new wave of young hardware companies drawing on a deep pool of talent. At RISE I am looking forward to seeing, for example, iLocky.com, a startup with a bit of kit that turns RFID door locks into smart locks and Aidmics which is aiming to turn your smartphone into a fully-functioning microscope.
e27 | DEC 22, 2015
Can Taiwan achieve another miracle with hardware startups?
“In other markets, hardware startups are relatively rare. But in Taiwan, with its illustrious OEM (original equipment manufacturer) heritage of building for others, there is a new wave of young hardware companies drawing on a deep pool of talent,” says Web Summit Founder Paddy Cosgrave, after praising local hardware startup talents such as iLocky and Aidmics.
Fast Company Co.Design | AUG 5, 2015
This Device Helps Farmers By Turning iPads Into Sperm Analyzers
The Taiwan-based startup Aidmics Biotechnology has a new invention: a system that analyzes livestock sperm. Essentially, it turns an iPad into a powerful microscope and diagnostic tool at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Here’s how the iSperm works: Attach the optical lens in front of the iPad’s camera, prep a semen sample, affix to the lens, and use the app to take a video of the sperm and measure the concentration and motility. The greater the concentration and motility, the stronger the sperm and the more likely it will inseminate an egg. Aidmics is targeting the iSperm to animal husbandry. Agriculture is an industry that’s technical innovation has largely ignored, and Silicon Valley is taking note. In May 2015, Google Ventures invested $15 million into finding ways data analysis can improve crop yields and resource efficiency.
The Economic Times | JUL 24, 2015
iSperm: The mirage of a spermanent solution
A new Taiwanese device called the iSperm – which handily clips on to iPad minis – puts those wiggly spores on candid camera and offers practically instant analysis on their vitality and motility, along with 7-second recording and data storing options. The move to extend its market from the livestock business to human males may well have been spurred by data showing that it led to a 20% rise in birthrates among pigs in Taiwan.
International Business Times | JUL 23, 2015
iSperm – Device For Analyzing Breeding Success Rate – May Be Used By Humans Soon
Aidmics, a startup company from Taiwan, has finally found a way to show what babies look like even before they were created. The Taiwanese company has invented a device which they called iSperm. This device – which is believed to have already been sold to nearly 200 farmers from all over the globe, according to Reuters – is being used to analyze sperm counts of boars. That way, farmers get to maximize the success of their breeding programs. iSperm functions by magnifying the semen samples that are placed into a tube. The tip of this tube is then dipped into the sample and is capped. A separate light source will illuminate the sample, a microscope will enlarge it, and all of the results will be captured by an iPad camera.
Boing Boing | JUL 22, 2015
iSperm: sperm analyzer for iPad
Taiwanese med-tech firm Admits hopes to get FDA approval to bring its iPad-based livestock sperm analyzer to the US for at-home human fertility testing. It's called the iSperm and I'm sure Apple will be just fine with that. The iSperm essentially a microscope that attaches to the iPad combined with an app that measures sperm count and motility. Of course you can also watch the sperm swim on the screen. “Our pregnancy success rate increased by 20 percent after we started using this gadget,” pig farmer Sam Wang told Reuters.
Cult of Mac | JUL 21, 2015
iSperm for iPad wants to help you make a baby
iSperm started out life as a product designed to help livestock farmers, although the company behind it is now in the early stages of seeking FDA approval to expand its use to men. The FDA has previously been said to take an “almost hands-off approach” to devices intended to promote health. The human-centered microscope is set to cost between $100 and $200 when it is launched. The associated app will offer instant fertility measurements, along with live visuals of the sperm.
Reuters (UK) | JUL 17, 2015
DIY fertility testing goes digital with Taiwan's iSperm
iSperm was released commercially last August and has sold nearly 200 sets to farms around the world. It isn’t the first at-home sperm tester but the only one that offers instant fertility measurements combined with live visuals of the sperm. (Video).
Malay Mail Online (Malaysia) | JUL 17, 2015
Count your sperm: DIY fertility testing goes digital with Taiwan’s iSperm
Call home, check your email, count your sperm: Taiwanese start-up Aidmics is hoping to cash in on the US$40 billion global human fertility market with an iPad compatible gadget it calls iSperm. Aidmics initially developed the product to help livestock farmers, but founder Agean Lin now plans to seek US Food and Drug Administration approval next year to expand its use to men.
VTV (Vietnam) | JUL 17, 2015
(Video) Isperm: Dụng cụ kiểm tra tinh trùng bằng iPad
Theo công ty Aidmics - công ty phát triển ra Isperm, sản phẩm này có thể đáp ứng được nhu cầu to lớn của ngành chăn nuôi. Hiện, 200 bộ sản phẩm Isperm đã được bán cho các trang trại chăn nuôi ở Trung Quốc, Hàn Quốc, Tây Ban Nha và Hà Lan. Công ty này đang nỗ lực để hoàn thiện hơn nữa sản phẩm đặc biệt này, nhằm phục vụ cho sức khỏe con người trong tương lai không xa.
Tech in Asia (Singapore) | JUL 15, 2015
This smart gadget is helping farmers analyze pig sperm. Yours could be next
For farmers, pigs are the richest part of the livestock industry, explain Jolanda Hsu and Mavis Hong from Aidmics, a startup that grew out of a project at National Taiwan University (NTU). The startup’s gadget, iSperm, is a smart piece of hardware consisting of a microfluidic chip (that’s the testing part) and a high-resolution microscope (the analysis part) that ties to an app. It looks more like some kind of fancy camera lens, and comes with the case that the microscope holds onto.
DIGITIMES | JUN 10, 2015
Aidmics iSperm inspection device for pig sperm
At Computex Aidmics Biotechnology showcased its iSperm, which inspects pig sperm. It is a tool for animal husbandry. Aidmics said it has sold over 100 iSperm devices since its launch, with Taiwan and non-Taiwan markets each accounting for 50%.
Australians (Australia) | JUN 4, 2015
Taiwan’s Computex computer fair does it again
Apple’s iPad Mini has a new role at Computex: analysing the sperm quality of bulls, sheep, horses and other farm animals. Local start-up Aidmics Biotechnology is showcasing a high-resolution optical lens attachment that operates like a 200x microscope. You supply a sample and results show up in 17 seconds. An app provides you with sperm quality measurements such as concentration and motility. Aidmics says its sperm quality tracking has been approved by Taiwan’s Agricultural Technology Research Institute. The system cannot be used for testing human sperm as it doesn’t have any medical endorsements. Aidmics Biotechnology also has cute microscope attachment for smartphones that children can use to inspect bugs, butterflies, weeds and flowers.
DIGITIMES | JUN 3, 2015
Startups getting chance to shine at Computex
Aidmics Biotechnology is showcasing animal husbandry inspection products that are able to connect with smart mobile devices. Aidmics founder and CEO Agean Lin pointed out that the company currently has two major products, the uHandy, a mobile microscope device and iSperm, an inspection device for pig sperm. The iSperm allows animal husbandry players to finish swine sperm inspection within a minute and reduces their expenses over equipment by almost 90%. The iSperm is able to connect with mobile devices such as the iPad mini, and through software developed by Aidmics, and animal husbandry players are able to inspect sperm's morphology, concentration and motile rating
Computer World (Australia) | JUN 3, 2015 & CIO (USA) | JUN 2, 2015
Taiwan innovates in niche areas like cat feeders, sperm analyzers
Also on display at Computex was the iSperm, a mobile sperm analyzer that attaches to an iPad mini. The company behind the product, Aidmics Biotechnology, sees big potential in the market, said Mavis Hong, its sales manager. The first generation is built for farmers, wanting to analyze the reproductive health of their pigs. The analyzer is essentially a microscope optical lens that attaches to the iPad's camera. Farmers can take a sample of a pig's sperm, and place it on the microscope. To examine the sperm, the company has developed an app that can offer close-up views, and analyze the sperm's health. In the future, Aidmics wants to upgrade the app with better data analysis, and also expand the product to other animals such as deer, cows and one day humans.