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Approach & technology

A modular verification system — not a black box.

StunAssure combines video, environmental and process sensors, stunner parameters, and expert-reviewed indicators into a conservative, explainable risk-detection and audit platform. The goal is not to replace stunning technology — it is to make humane stunning measurable, adaptable, and practical across economic contexts.

The model

Four practical layers, fused into one signal.

The innovation is not one AI camera — it is the layered architecture that combines weak signals and stays fail-safe.

Protocol layer

Manual checklist, stun-to-kill timer, species profile, and standard operating procedures — usable offline and in low-resource settings.

Sensor layer

Temperature, conductivity/salinity, dissolved oxygen where needed, stunner settings, and batch timing — logged without modifying existing stunners.

Decision-support layer

Conservative, explainable risk scoring that returns a simple, fail-safe signal: likely acceptable, uncertain — check manually, or intervention needed.

Camera-assist layer

Detects visible warning signs — coordinated movement, continued ventilation, recovery indicators — as an optional higher tier, never as a consciousness verdict.

Honesty first. The system does not claim that video alone proves consciousness. It is designed to flag risk and support validated decision-making with domain experts — never to certify "safe" on weak evidence. See our Responsible AI boundary →

System architecture

Inputs → risk engine → operator alert → audit report.

A buildable architecture: practical inputs feed a conservative risk engine that produces a clear operator signal and a saved batch record.

INPUTS Stunner parameters Water conditions Species profile Timing & throughput Manual observations Optional camera Risk engine rules + conservative scoring (+ optional model) OPERATOR ALERT Pass — likely acceptable Uncertain — check manually Fail — intervene / re-stun ↳ Batch audit report (saved locally / cloud)
Pass Uncertain → manual check Fail → intervention Audit record
How it works

From observation to welfare assurance.

A multi-layer assurance workflow for detecting, documenting, and reducing fish-welfare risks during stunning and slaughter. The system does not claim to determine consciousness — it surfaces observable welfare-risk indicators and the cases that need human review.

  1. Observe
  2. Measure
  3. Synchronize
  4. Detect risk
  5. Explain
  6. Review
  7. Improve
  1. 01

    Observe

    Cameras capture visible post-stun movement, handling, posture, and process flow.

    Why Surfaces observable signs that may warrant review.

  2. 02

    Measure

    Sensors and process logs record water temperature, conductivity, pH, timing, batch data, and stunner settings where available.

    Why Stunning effectiveness depends on real conditions, not equipment alone.

  3. 03

    Synchronize

    Video, sensor data, operator notes, and process events are aligned on one timeline.

    Why Creates structured evidence instead of isolated observations.

  4. 04

    Detect risk

    Rules and optional models flag observable welfare-risk indicators — unexpected movement, delayed handling, process deviations, or missing data.

    Why Supports early detection of problems, not consciousness verdicts.

  5. 05

    Explain

    Each alert shows the reason: what was detected, when it happened, and which data supported the flag.

    Why Keeps the system transparent and reviewable.

  6. 06

    Review

    Operators or welfare advisors validate flagged clips and uncertain cases.

    Why Keeps expert human judgment central to every decision.

  7. 07

    Improve

    Reports help facilities correct problems, refine procedures, and document welfare assurance.

    Why Turns monitoring into continuous welfare improvement.

1Observe 2Measure 3Synchronize 4Detect risk 5Explain 6Review 7Improve CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT LOOP
Deployment & cost tiers

Affordable entry points — not lower welfare standards.

Tiering creates affordable pathways toward better verification and process control. Lower-cost tiers are more conservative; they should never falsely certify fish as insensible.

Tier 1

Lite

Small farms & low-resource settings

$500–$2,000
  • Checklist app
  • Stun→kill timer
  • Species SOPs
  • Manual logs
Tier 3

Camera Assist

Advanced sites

$10,000–$30,000
  • Edge camera
  • Visual warning detection
  • Higher automation
Tier 4

Validation Mode

Researchers & certifiers

Project-based
  • Expert labels
  • Validation protocol
  • Benchmark data

Illustrative target ranges, not fixed prices.