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CareCompanion chatbot

Project information

Project	Care Companion-chatbot
Duration	1.1.2026-30.06.2028
Partners	Central Ostrobothnia Education Federation (KPEDU) Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
Funders	European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Funding granted by: Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland
Budget	The total project budget is €259,500.00. Private funding amounts to €3,503.25. The distribution of public funding: European Union: €110,078.60 National funding: €145,918.15

The CareCompanion project develops a chatbot to support cattle farmers (dairy and beef) and equine producers in assessing animal welfare, applying welfare indicators, and implementing self-monitoring practices.

On modern farms, animal welfare requires increasingly precise, up-to-date, and practical monitoring, while research-based knowledge, welfare metrics, and legislation form a complex whole that is time-consuming to manage at farm level.

CareCompanion responds to this need by developing a language-model-based advisory chatbot that consolidates validated information into an easily accessible format and supports everyday decision-making related to animal welfare without obligations or user commitment.

How CareCompanion works

The outcome of the project is a user-tested advisory chatbot that allows agricultural stakeholders to ask questions via text, speech, and images. The use of the chatbot is based on a clear structure: users first select one of two modules according to their needs, either Measuring and assessing animal welfare or Legislation and Subsidy Systems related to animal welfare.

Each module is connected to a distinct and restricted knowledge base. The model does not retrieve information from random online sources but uses only validated, project-supplied materials. Knowledge sources are kept separate at module level, ensuring that legal information does not mix with scientific evidence or practical guidance. If discrepancies exist between sources, the chatbot clearly signals them and guides the user to further review the original material.

The solution supports farm-level self-monitoring, helps users understand welfare requirements and indicators, and brings up-to-date information directly into everyday farm management.

Target group

Cattle farmers (dairy and beef) and equine producers.

Operating area

The project is national in scope.

HAMK’s role in the project

HAMK is a co-implementer in the project and is responsible for the development and testing of the artificial intelligence and language-model-based technology of the CareCompanion chatbot. HAMK designs and builds the technical solution and ensures its functionality across different use contexts.

In addition, HAMK supports project communication related to artificial intelligence and digitalisation and strengthens collaboration with technology-sector stakeholders. HAMK’s role ensures that the solution is based on up-to-date AI expertise and is technically scalable beyond the project’s lifetime.