Smithsonian zoo introduces iPads to orangutans with 'App for Apes' project
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., is utilizing Apple's iPad as a new interactive enrichment tool aimed at cognitive development for the zoo's simians.
Source: National Zoo
In conjunction with 12 other zoos from around the world, the Smithsonian is participating in what has been dubbed "Apps for Apes," a program that leverages the touchscreen interactivity of Apple's iPad to enrich the lives of those apes in captivity, reports DCist.
The National Zoo first joined the initiative when a zookeeper's family member donated an iPad to the Great Ape House. After talking with fellow program participants, the zoo was able to home in on ten apps that seemed to be most conducive to interaction, including a number of music, drawing and game apps. According to a keeper in the video below, one orangutan named Iris is particularly fond of the popular app Koi Pond.
"Apps for Apes is all about giving orangutans in human care choice over their environment," said animal keeper Erin Stromberg. "With the iPad, we're hoping to tap less into the critical-thinking outlet and more into a creative outlet. If they're engaged in an app, we'll keep going. If not, they have the choice to walk away."
The zoo is no stranger to implementing high-tech solutions for studying animal behavior. For example, since 1994 the park has been using stationary touchscreen monitors to test orangutan memory. The iPads are being used in a different way, however, and represent a more cognitive approach to interacting with the captive simians.
While the work to meld consumer electronics technology with primate research is still in its infancy, zookeepers hope to one day fully utilize the iPad's potential and connect orangutans across continents using videoconferencing apps like FaceTime.
"Primarily, we want the Apps for Apes program to help people understand why we need to protect wild orangutans from extinction," said Richard Zimmerman, founding director of Orangutan Outreach. "We do that when we show Zoo visitors how similar humans and apes are, be it through observation, talking with wildlife experts or seeing the apes use the same technology we use every day."
The zoo is currently accepting donations of iTunes gift cards to broaden its app base, as well as direct iPad hardware donations that will be go to zoos across the U.S. Those interested may donate through the site's Giving Tree, while the Orangutan Outreach program handles all iPad hardware gifts.
Source: National Zoo
In conjunction with 12 other zoos from around the world, the Smithsonian is participating in what has been dubbed "Apps for Apes," a program that leverages the touchscreen interactivity of Apple's iPad to enrich the lives of those apes in captivity, reports DCist.
The National Zoo first joined the initiative when a zookeeper's family member donated an iPad to the Great Ape House. After talking with fellow program participants, the zoo was able to home in on ten apps that seemed to be most conducive to interaction, including a number of music, drawing and game apps. According to a keeper in the video below, one orangutan named Iris is particularly fond of the popular app Koi Pond.
"Apps for Apes is all about giving orangutans in human care choice over their environment," said animal keeper Erin Stromberg. "With the iPad, we're hoping to tap less into the critical-thinking outlet and more into a creative outlet. If they're engaged in an app, we'll keep going. If not, they have the choice to walk away."
The zoo is no stranger to implementing high-tech solutions for studying animal behavior. For example, since 1994 the park has been using stationary touchscreen monitors to test orangutan memory. The iPads are being used in a different way, however, and represent a more cognitive approach to interacting with the captive simians.
While the work to meld consumer electronics technology with primate research is still in its infancy, zookeepers hope to one day fully utilize the iPad's potential and connect orangutans across continents using videoconferencing apps like FaceTime.
"Primarily, we want the Apps for Apes program to help people understand why we need to protect wild orangutans from extinction," said Richard Zimmerman, founding director of Orangutan Outreach. "We do that when we show Zoo visitors how similar humans and apes are, be it through observation, talking with wildlife experts or seeing the apes use the same technology we use every day."
The zoo is currently accepting donations of iTunes gift cards to broaden its app base, as well as direct iPad hardware donations that will be go to zoos across the U.S. Those interested may donate through the site's Giving Tree, while the Orangutan Outreach program handles all iPad hardware gifts.
Comments
Microsoft was upset because they wanted to hire them as security experts.
iOS. So easy a cavemen can use it.
(Shameless GEICO plugin.)
An upgrade from the current customer base.
Groan.... cue the ape (Ape Store) , sheep (Apelle), "Macs are for dunces", etc etc jokes......
Originally Posted by anantksundaram
Groan.... cue the ape (Ape Store) , sheep (Apelle), "Macs are for dunces", etc etc jokes......
Oh, good. You didn't see the (serious!) post I already deleted.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by winstein2010
I was at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago the other day, they have replaced all the old touch screen PC's with iPads.
With single app mode in iOS 6, I'm sure we'll see more and more iOS kiosks
I'm surprised there isn't a single Gorilla Glass joke yet
Apps for Apes... Android users want them too as it's a superior UI.
It's a travesty that we put those smart apes, who apparently have excellent taste in electronic devices, behind cages, while we let Android users walk around freely.
My Ex Mother in law should enjoy this one. It fits her mentality.
Post of the day!
My question is what do these people do when the ape uses an app to ask "let me out of this cage!" I mean really once the ape realizes that he or she can express feelings with the device getting out of the damn cage ought to be a high priority.
I never really like going to zoos as honestly the animals there are broken and far removed from their wild state. Nothing would be more satisfying than to have one of these beasts express their desire to be freed from the cage.
It is hard to come up with a good one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse
I'm surprised there isn't a single Gorilla Glass joke yet
They would of course have to be in cages in the first place of which they are not.
The Simian market is virtually untapped but you have to watch out...
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Originally Posted by wizard69
My question is what do these people do when the ape uses an app to ask "let me out of this cage!" Nothing would be more satisfying than to have one of these beasts express their desire to be freed from the cage.
Wouldn't they have to be closer to sentience than they are now?