Sound to your objects: a novel design approach to evaluate orangutans' interest in sound-based stimuli

Abstract

Orangutans show interest in sound-based stimuli, but the auditory enrichment they are usually provided with is either based on human-music, or does not allow for control and choice. In this work-in-progress paper, we describe the design of sound-based enrichment by means of the manipulation of tangible non-technological elements. In doing so, we demonstrate how Animal Computer Interaction research can help in providing animals with more control over auditory stimuli, as well as demonstrating and justifying a novel modality for interaction based on orangutan behavior within our ongoing study. We overview our proposed evaluation, identifying how - through embodying notions of control and choice in design - our proposed system allows for orangutan use to inform ongoing development and design of auditory enrichment.