"Penguins, like many animals, are freaked out by people. Even if those people are well-intending researchers, the birds' heartbeats race when humans approach. So a team of scientists from the University of Strasbourg decided to design a monitoring method that wouldn't completely terrorize their research subjects, Wired reports."
A robot, the researchers figured, might be less threatening than a living, breathing, potentially predatory human. They equipped 24 king penguins in Antarctica with external heart rate monitors. The next day, they sent a remote-controlled rover into the penguin colony. They observed the birds from more than 650 feet away, Wired describes, and noted that their heart rates were significantly less fluttery and stabilized more quickly than when humans approached the animals. The penguins also allowed the rover to get closer to them before moving away from their nest than they would a human.
The researchers realized they were on to something—but a key ingredient was missing. What if they dressed the robot up to look like a baby penguin? Pursuing this hunch, they outfitted the rover with a big ball of fluff and a little penguin head and arms. The results were even better. The penguin chicks allowed the rover to join them in a creche (basically a big gathering of adorable baby animals that allows adults to keep an eye on them). They even tried to communicate with the rover.
"They were very disappointed when there was no answer," the researchers told the Associated Press. "Next time we will have a rover playing songs."
11 comments:
This is not news.
Come on.
Am I really the only here who's been approached by a rover dressed as a human being?
And they're right. My heart rate was just fine!
"Penguins, like many animals are freaked out by humans."
Tell me about it. Even the the ones I know well freak me out, which admittedly, I sometimes really dig.
I suspect that many among us are now, in fact, rovers in disguise. Some must have their switches set on "freaky".
Doesn't everyone know penguins have studied our broadcasts before landing on Earth? They're merely amused by the penguin Capt. Pike as they continue funnelling weapons through the ozone holes, using the cloaking devices they acquired after annihilating the Romulans.
Wallace is impressed.
OTOH Gromit is totally on to this deception.
A cool set of wheels draws the chicks. AlanS could have told them that, until recently.
Disappointed when there was no answer.
Aww, baby penguins experience adult human emotion.
Let the anthropomorphism begin!
How about, "they appeared to be attempting to evoke a vocalization from the tiny robot."
Now you see, this is real zoology and animal research, not the bullshit holding profit pens known as zoos.
I can tell you what those Penguins are thinking. "Something about that kid just ain't right. And where the hell is his mother?"
Penguin thought bubble: Okay, those freaks are back again. Everyone stop working on cold fusion and act human-y.
Those birds look so cold and depressed. We should send more fuzzy on wheels - with little heaters inside. Global warming heaters.
Meth - zoos are horrible cruel holding pens. Why the masses agree to pay to see the cruelty at the zoo is beyond me.
Whenever you see the news media coo over the new "baby" at the zoo, rest assured older animals were put-down to make room.
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