Dolphin uses iPad to communicate with humans

This amazes me! It's reported via BoingBoing that the SpeakDolphin project has succeeded in adapting an Apple iPad tablet computer for use by dolphins to communicate with humans. From their press release (link is to an Adobe Acrobat file in .PDF format):

Last week, a young bottlenose dolphin named Merlin became the first of his species to join the growing number of enthusiasts using the Apple iPad. Dolphin research scientist, Jack Kassewitz of SpeakDolphin.com, introduced the iPad to the dolphin in early steps towards build[ing] a language interface.




“The use of the iPad is part of our continuing search to find a suitable touch screen technology which the dolphins can activate with the tip of their rostrums or beaks. After extensive searching and product review, it looks like our choice is between the Panasonic Toughbook and the Apple iPad” Kassewitz explained. “We think that once the dolphins get the hang of the touch screen, we can let them choose from a wide assortment of symbols to represent objects, actions and even emotions”.

. . .

For now, the researchers are getting Merlin used to the touch screen by showing him real objects, such as a ball, cube or plastic duck, then asking the dolphin to touch photos of those same objects on the screen. “This is an easy task for a dolphin, but it is a necessary building block towards our goal of a complete language interface between humans and dolphins”, Kassewitz said.

There's more at the link.

That's fascinating! I'd never have thought of a tablet computer as an interface between species. (Neither would Apple Computer, I bet . . . although with a guy as creative as Steve Jobs, you never know.) Kudos to Mr. Kassewitz and the SpeakDolphin project for coming up with the idea. This will be worth following, to see what evolves. Can you imagine the fun if we end up having intelligent conversations with dolphins?

Peter