Developing Zoo Technology Requirements for White-Faced Saki Monkeys

Abstract

How early technology requirements are formed for animals involves asking humans caring for the animal to give requirements for them. For zoo animals, this is the keeper and other experts who work with the animal. This requirement gathering process is used as a method of forming user-centric designs for systems for animals. Yet little attention has been paid towards how to form these early requirements in zoos or whom to gather these from. Addressing this, we investigate how to construct technology requirements for the zoo housed animals, using white-faced saki monkeys as an instance. Utilizing the method of questionnaires, we gather requirements from zoo keepers and zoo visitors. Comparing and analyzing our results, we reveal how requirements for animal-technology in zoo contexts diverge and intersect. Our data indicates that these vantages mostly align; with the zoo visitors focusing upon the aesthetics and keepers concentrating on practicalities. Overarching these, we note how requirements in proxy for animals often involves a synthesis of complex motivations, user narratives, vantage points, and prior technology and animal experience that is irreparably intertwined within the requirement process. This paper builds upon requirement gathering methods for unconventional users.

Do chimpanzees enjoy a virtual forest? A pilot investigation of the use of interactive art as a form of environmental enrichment for zoo‐housed chimpanzees

“…Previous studies have documented some controversies with respect to the use of digital technology as a form of environmental enrichment (Clark et al, 2019; Hirskyj‐Douglas & Piitulainen, 2020; Kim‐McCormack et al, 2016; Piitulainen & Hirskyj‐Douglas, 2020); one such concern is eye problems. We selected the projectors' locations to limit the duration of exposure to light, so as to avoid any potential adverse effects of light on the chimpanzees (e.g., their eye).…”

Prototyping with Monkeys: Uncovering What Buttons for Monkeys Look Like

“…However, it can be argued that the keepers' insights were not evidence-led and that we could be replicating human biases when relying on the keeper as a proxy. Additionally, keeper and visitor insights diverge because they are infuenced by difering motivations [18]. Similar problems are echoed in research felds such as child-computer interaction, where much of the recent narrative has focused on methods to maintain the child's voice, thoughts and feelings [33].…”

“…Using such methods for primates in zoo contexts is incredibly complex because multiple stakeholders are involved [18], including zoo visitors, the animals, the keepers, the research directors and so on. Regarding design with animals in zoos, researchers have employed methods such as participatory design and co-design with elephants [10] and orangutans [59].…”

Welfare Through Competence: A Framework for Animal-Centric Technology Design

“…This framework therefore does not address that aspect of the design process. For example, in designing for zoo-housed primates, ACI researchers have identified the need to consider the varied requirements of zoo personnel and visitors ( 116 ), such as eliciting visitors' empathy for animals, while also providing meaningful education and enjoyment ( 114 ).…”