There are researchers who are seriously thinking about how to make parrots use tablets more comfortably.
Parrots are known to be extremely intelligent birds,
No More Angry Birds: Investigating Touchscreen Ergonomics to Improve Tablet-Based Enrichment for Parrots - DRS
https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:h989sd115
Parrots Love Tablet Games. How Do They Play Them?
https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/03/20/parrots-playing-tablet-games/
Devices equipped with touch screens such as smartphones and tablets are familiar to humans, but in recent years, attention has also been focused on the possibility that animals such as dogs, killer whales, and parrots can use touch screens.
In a 2023 study, Kleinberger and his team taught a group of parrots how to make video calls on a tablet or smartphone and found that the parrots started making regular video calls with other individuals. discovered. The parrot clearly understood that there was a partner different from itself on the other side of the screen, and the owner said, ``The parrot learned skills such as how to cry and fly from the other individual,'' and ``The parrot is more energetic than before.'' We have reported positive results.
The latest research reveals that parrots can learn video calling, acquire skills from the parrots they call, and improve their happiness - GIGAZINE
Therefore, Kleinberger and his colleagues conducted research to understand how parrots operate tablets and establish a framework for building tablets that are more comfortable for parrots. The research team had 20 parrots kept as pets play games on a tablet and collected data on tactile interaction with the touch screen. There are various types of parrots, from relatively small species such as the red -winged cockatoo to large species such as the violet macaw , and it seems that all individuals have had experience operating a touch screen in the past.
The parrot's owner was provided with a Samsung tablet and taught the parrot how to play ``a game in which you tap targets displayed in various places on the screen.'' The parrots played the game for three months in short sessions of less than 30 minutes per day, and 17 of the 20 birds that participated in the experiment completed the experiment to the end.
You can see how parrots play games on tablets by watching the video below.
No More Angry Birds! - Toward better touchscreen interfaces for parrots - CHI24 - YouTube
A parrot standing in front of a tablet.
When I noticed a red circle on the screen, I flicked it with my tongue.
When it is determined that the tongue has touched the screen, the location of the circle will move.
Through this game, the research team collected data on tactile elements such as the parrot's play accuracy, tap frequency, and touch pressure. Parrots use their tongues to touch, which means they get much closer to the screen than human eyes. As a result, we found that parrots have poor touch accuracy overall, that larger targets are easier to touch accurately, and that larger parrots are better at maneuvering than small parrots.
In addition, the tongue moves and drags easily when touching the screen, the pressure is less than that of a human finger, the tongue is dry and therefore difficult to react, and the tongue moves at high speed for a few milliseconds. It was discovered that parrots have operating habits that are different from humans, such as tapping the screen more than 40 times in a row.
The research team made adjustments in real time based on ``parrot engineering,'' rather than ergonomics, and optimized the app's interface for parrot operation, which resulted in reduced frustration when parrots play games. 'This is a great example of how studying animal bodies can help us design new interfaces to empower animals,' Kleinberger said.
In a survey conducted after the study was completed, the owners said that the experience was positive for the parrots and that they were glad to be able to participate in the experience.
Kleinberger said: 'Cognitive enhancement is an important factor for the health and well-being of parrots, and tablet games are one way to increase cognitive function. Designing apps and unique touchscreen technology for birds This makes this form of cognitive enhancement more accessible.'
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