In mid-May, 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 building 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, in the press release. “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.”
Kassewitz explained the requirements of the technology, “Waterproofing, processor speed, touch-sensitivity, anti-glare screens, and dolphin-friendly programs are essential. As this database of dolphin symbols grows — we’ll need fast technology to help us respond appropriately and quickly to the dolphins.”
The research was being conducted at Dolphin Discovery’s dolphin swim facility in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, along the picturesque coast now referred to as the Riviera Maya. The dolphin, Merlin, is a juvenile, born at the facility only two years ago. “Merlin is quite curious, like most dolphins, and he showed complete willingness to examine the iPad,” said Kassewitz.
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.
Source: SpeakDolphin
[Attribution: Orange Crate Art. Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Chas” for the heads up.]
And … why not use the human brain to adapt the computer to translate the dolphin’s whistles? The dolphin already has a communications system, large vocabulary and all. Why are we trying to teach the dolphin a “foreign language”?
Thanks for all the fish?
Great. Now the dolphins will be sitting around reading magazines instead of jumping through hoops and surfing the internet instead of the surf.
Pretty sure I covered this in my book…
Does anyone have an iPad stylus for a pig? .. I’m afraid Ginny will have probems using the touch interface because of her snout.
And what are the dolphins doing to communicate with us? Sweet FA, why are we going to all the effort?
IPad -it’s an amazing phenomena
M.X.N.T.4.1.:
Get a brain
No flash for Flipper?
So far, the dolphins have told us,
“Watch ‘The Cove’ “
“Put all oil company executives in the middle of the ocean. We’ll take care of them. Promise.”
“No, that wet suit does not make you look fat.”
The next step in the evolution of the hitch-hiker’s guide to the galaxy.
Thanks for the fish!
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That’s great and all, but what about sharks with frickin’ lasers!!!
Sounds fishy to me!
Q. What do you call a group of dolphins?
A. An iPod
I’ll get me coat….
Anyone who uses an iPad is a “TOOL”. So now Dolphins are TOOLS too eh Thurotted? lol
Douglas Adams irony overload.
i need to release endolphins to get over the pain of this absurd post.
On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dolphin.
Wowow, let’s hope that the iPad does not “wake up” one day and decides to take over the world… and Skynet.
this just in ipad has cornered andriod out of dolphin market share, google refuses to comment
lol Emma, good one.
Is there a way to use the iPad to communicate with the White-house and the Congress? They are ignoring the majority of the population.
@DLMeyer, “And … why not use the human brain to adapt the computer to translate the dolphin’s whistles? The dolphin already has a communications system, large vocabulary and all. Why are we trying to teach the dolphin a “foreign language”?”
The researchers might get a quicker answer and then their grants would dry up. Job security old man.
Dolphin iPads… Imagine that!
Now they truly have ‘The Day of the Dolphin!’
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It will be a good thing only if it helps the Dolphins have a winning football season!
But does Ace Ventura approve?
And more importantly, will the Dolphin iPad allow Spawn?!
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Surprised that primate researchers haven’t got the ape or gorilla addicted to iTunes already, or playing video games.
My cat’s nails, like some women with pretty long nails, get in the way of interacting with the iPad surface.
Next, ET…