Multimodal Technologies in Animal–Computer Interaction

A special issue of Multimodal Technologies and Interaction (ISSN 2414-4088).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2018)

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Graduate School of Media Design, Keio University, Japan
2. Global Research Fellow, Imagineering Institute, Malaysia
Interests: multimedia communications; multimodal interface; ultra high-quality motion pictures; animal–computer-interaction

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Guest Editor
Animal–Computer Interaction (ACI) Laboratory, School of Computing and Communications, STEM Faculty, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
Interests: animal–computer interaction; multispecies interaction design; animal-centered computing; animal-centered design; biosemiotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Care for the Rare, School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, Nottingham, UK
Interests: behavioural ecology; animal welfare; animal conservation; animal welfare-centered habitat design; zoos
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Animals have been exposed to, and have interacted with, technology for the better part of a century; for example, in conservation activities, behavioural experiments, comparative cognition studies, precision farming, and in various support roles. At the crossroad between interaction design, on the one hand, and animal behavioural and welfare science, on the other, Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI) is a rapidly-growing field of research concerned with the interaction between animals and computing-enabled technology from an animal-centered perspective. Integrating a variety of multidisciplinary approaches, ACI aims to:

  • Investigate the interaction between animals and technology in naturalistic settings, with regards to specific animal activities or interspecies relations
  • Develop user-centered technology that can: Improve animals’ welfare by enabling the fulfillment of their needs; support animals in tasks humans might ask of them; foster interspecies relationships
  • Inform interdisciplinary user-centered approaches that can enable animals to participate in the design process as legitimate stakeholders and contributors.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to bring together state-of-the-art research articles on the use and potential of multimedia and multimodal interfaces for animal-centred applications and interactions. These might aim to improve animal welfare, foster interspecies relationships or support the development of animal-centred research methods, in relation to laboratory, farm, companion or wild animals. We invite original research articles, works in progress, surveys, and reviews. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Animal Behavior and Multimodal Technology in ACI
  • Interaction Multimodality Design for ACI
  • Multisensory Technology for ACI
  • Multimedia Technology for ACI
  • Multimodal Design Solutions for ACI Applications
  • Multimodal Technology as Methodological Tool in ACI

Dr. Naohisa Ohta
Dr. Clara Mancini
Dr. Jake Veasey
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Multimedia Technology for Animals
  • Multimodal Technology for Animals
  • Interaction between Animals and Technology
  • Multimodal Technology for Animal Welfare
  • Multimodal Technology for Interspecies Relationships
  • Animal-Centered Design of Multimodal Technologies

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3059 KiB  
Article
Animal-to-Animal Data Sharing Mechanism for Wildlife Monitoring in Fukushima Exclusion Zone
by Hill Hiroki Kobayashi, Keijiro Nakagawa, Ko Makiyama, Yuta Sasaki, Hiromi Kudo, Baburam Niraula and Kaoru Sezaki
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2018, 2(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti2030040 - 03 Jul 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4061
Abstract
We propose an animal-to-animal data sharing mechanism that employs wildlife-borne sensing devices to expand the size of monitoring areas in which electricity, information, and road infrastructures are either limited or nonexistent. With the proposed approach, monitoring information can be collected from remote areas [...] Read more.
We propose an animal-to-animal data sharing mechanism that employs wildlife-borne sensing devices to expand the size of monitoring areas in which electricity, information, and road infrastructures are either limited or nonexistent. With the proposed approach, monitoring information can be collected from remote areas in a safe and cost-effective manner. To substantially prolong the life of a sensor node, the proposed mechanism activates the communication capabilities only when there is a plurality of animals; otherwise, the sensor node remains in a sleep state. This study aimed to achieve three objectives. First, we intend to obtain knowledge based on the actual field operations within the Fukushima exclusion zone. Second, we attempt to realize an objective evaluation of the power supply and work base that is required to properly evaluate the proposed mechanism. Third, we intend to acquire data to support wildlife research, which is the objective of both our present (and future) research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Technologies in Animal–Computer Interaction)
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15 pages, 12716 KiB  
Article
A Wearable Sensor System for Lameness Detection in Dairy Cattle
by Juan Haladjian, Johannes Haug, Stefan Nüske and Bernd Bruegge
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2018, 2(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti2020027 - 15 May 2018
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 8004
Abstract
Cow lameness is a common manifestation in dairy cattle that causes severe health and life quality issues to cows, including pain and a reduction in their life expectancy. In our previous work, we introduced an algorithmic approach to automatically detect anomalies in the [...] Read more.
Cow lameness is a common manifestation in dairy cattle that causes severe health and life quality issues to cows, including pain and a reduction in their life expectancy. In our previous work, we introduced an algorithmic approach to automatically detect anomalies in the walking pattern of cows using a wearable motion sensor. In this article, we provide further insights into a system for automatic lameness detection, including the decisions we made when designing the system, the requirements that drove these decisions and provide further insight into the algorithmic approach. Results from a controlled experiment we conducted indicate that our approach can detect deviations in cows’ gait with an accuracy of 91.1%. The information provided by our system can be useful to spot lameness-related diseases automatically and alarm veterinarians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Technologies in Animal–Computer Interaction)
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Review

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14 pages, 3353 KiB  
Review
Animals Make Music: A Look at Non-Human Musical Expression
by Reinhard Gupfinger and Martin Kaltenbrunner
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2018, 2(3), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti2030051 - 02 Sep 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7541
Abstract
The use of musical instruments and interfaces that involve animals in the interaction process is an emerging, yet not widespread practice. The projects that have been implemented in this unusual field are raising questions concerning ethical principles, animal-centered design processes, and the possible [...] Read more.
The use of musical instruments and interfaces that involve animals in the interaction process is an emerging, yet not widespread practice. The projects that have been implemented in this unusual field are raising questions concerning ethical principles, animal-centered design processes, and the possible benefits and risks for the animals involved. Animal–Computer Interaction is a novel field of research that offers a framework (ACI manifesto) for implementing interactive technology for animals. Based on this framework, we have examined several projects focusing on the interplay between animals and music technology in order to arrive at a better understanding of animal-based musical projects. Building on this, we will discuss how the implementation of new musical instruments and interfaces could provide new opportunities for improving the quality of life for grey parrots living in captivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Technologies in Animal–Computer Interaction)
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29 pages, 3012 KiB  
Review
Seven Years after the Manifesto: Literature Review and Research Directions for Technologies in Animal Computer Interaction
by Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, Patricia Pons, Janet C. Read and Javier Jaen
Multimodal Technol. Interact. 2018, 2(2), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/mti2020030 - 01 Jun 2018
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 12752
Abstract
As technologies diversify and become embedded in everyday lives, the technologies we expose to animals, and the new technologies being developed for animals within the field of Animal Computer Interaction (ACI) are increasing. As we approach seven years since the ACI manifesto, which [...] Read more.
As technologies diversify and become embedded in everyday lives, the technologies we expose to animals, and the new technologies being developed for animals within the field of Animal Computer Interaction (ACI) are increasing. As we approach seven years since the ACI manifesto, which grounded the field within Human Computer Interaction and Computer Science, this thematic literature review looks at the technologies developed for (non-human) animals. Technologies that are analysed include tangible and physical, haptic and wearable, olfactory, screen technology and tracking systems. The conversation explores what exactly ACI is whilst questioning what it means to be animal by considering the impact and loop between machine and animal interactivity. The findings of this review are expected to form the first grounding foundation of ACI technologies informing future research in animal computing as well as suggesting future areas for exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multimodal Technologies in Animal–Computer Interaction)
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