The robotic zookeeper

Think humans are the only ones that can benefit from robotics? Think again. In previous posts I have described various ways robots are designed based on animal characteristics. For instance, the popular SCRATCHbot that comes equipped with working whiskers, making it ideal for search and rescue missions. Now, I turn to a robot designed for animals.

Rohan Jhunjhunwala, a mechanical engineering student at the Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon, is in the process of developing a robotics system for the elephants at the Oregon Zoo. With product donations from Sealevel Systems, Jhunjhunwala’s goal is to construct a robot that will feed, exercise, and even entertain the elephants.

In the official press release, Jhunjhunwala explained that his design consists of three main parts. The first element is the apple launcher that will fling apples into the pen. The second element is a set of motion sensors that will ensure that the elephants move from one side of the pen to another to receive their food. The third component is by far the most creative concept of the project: the elephant piano. Jhunjhunwala plans to build a four-key keyboard on a wall of the pen for the elephants to play. He explained that "if the elephant plays the right sequence of notes using its trunk, it will be rewarded in the form of a bundle of hay or an apple." Once in place this robotics system will mentally engage the elephants, while also encouraging them to exercise.

Jhunjhunwala began the project as an opportunity to demonstrate his engineering ingenuity through a science fair project, while also getting recognition as a member of the FIRST Robotics Team. Dale Yocum, his mentor, suggested that the real success in this case is the inspiring amount of motivation and passion that went into the project. Yocum explained that the "FIRST robotics team is considered among the very best in the state partially because of the willingness of our students to go above and beyond."

While Jhunjhunwala continues to fine tune the robotics system at the Oregon Zoo, he hopes that his system will be replicated at other locations. With help from the Sealevel products, he can write Java code to provide the zookeepers a visual interface with better information about how the system is working and let them change the challenges given to the elephants. Thanks to Jhunhjunwala, the lives of these elephants will become more physically and mentally engaging while countering the negative effects of captivity. And who knows? Maybe the elephant piano will reveal one of these massive mammals as the next Mozart.