This Robotic Dolphin Could Mean the End of Dolphins in Captivity
It's no secret that the dolphins being held in aquariums are living in less than ideal conditions. From the way they're captured, separated from their families, held in tiny tanks and made to perform for crowds every day, the ethical dilemmas about sea parks are worrying to say the least. Addressing this problem, a special effects company created an innovative solution: a robot dolphin that swims and interacts with people, minus the animal cruelty.
After more stories about animals? Check out these GIFs of jumbo squids catching dinner.
-
In theory, the idea of a robotic dolphin doesn't sound very alluring. But this dolphin shows just how far animatronics have come. Melanie Langlotz and Li Wang had the idea of creating a robotic dolphin after visiting an aquarium. But building something this technologically advanced wasn't easy, especially something that would have to operate in salt water.
-
Advertisement
-
Eventually Roger Holzberg and Walt Conti, who made robotic animals for Star Trek and Jurassic World, got involved. They helped design 600 lb prototype that had a battery life of ten hours and could last in salt water for ten years. Not only the outside of the dolphin was made to look real - everything from the skeletal structure to the muscular interactions with it, to the weight deposits were true of a real adolescent bottlenose dolphin. In fact, the volunteers swimming with the prototype thought it was real until they were told that it was a robot.
-
After the success of the prototype, the group are now attempting to mass-produce the robotic dolphins and add a functional blowhole. They have already been approached by theme parks in China, where there are bans on wildlife trade. This could mean the end of holding dolphins in captivity - but not the end of human interactions with dolphins.
-
These robotic dolphins allow people to swim, play and interact with something as realistic as a real life dolphin - but it also means this can be done while leaving dolphins where they belong: in the wild. That sounds like a great use of technology to us.
Tags
Next on Home
Hot Today