The world of technology is benefiting us in a whole myriad of ways, but one that often gets overlooked? The changes it creates in how we coexist with animals. There’s a huge amount going on in this space, with advancements altering both how we interact with and view nature, and even revolutionizing our ability to look after our pets.
The AI Technology to Keep Animals Safe on the Road
This work in Australia was carried out in a partnership between the Australian Center for Robotics at the University of Sydney, the Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland, and QUT. They spent a year working on an artificial intelligence (AI) system that they call LAARMA, which comes from the phrase Large Animal Activated Roadside Monitoring and Alert.
The basic idea is that the system is triggered when it spots an animal near the road. This causes flashing message signs to light up, warning drivers nearby of the danger. Trials were carried out in Far North Queensland, where drivers regularly collide with cassowary birds. Researchers reported a 97% accuracy rate, with close to 300 animal sightings made during the trial. Drivers were happy to slow their speed when they saw the warning signs, which greatly lowered the risk of collision.
Currently, there are endangered species in virtually every part of the planet, with traffic accidents and other human interactions high among the reasons for this. Mexico has the greatest number of endangered species, followed by Indonesia, Madagascar, and India. Thankfully, LAARMA is designed to be low-cost to set up, with the code being added to GitHub so that anyone can download it for free and start using it anywhere.
Popular Culture Bringing Animals Closer on Our Screens
Some of the most interesting uses of technology in recent years have helped us get a better understanding of animals, making it easier to engage with and love them. Shows like Earth at Night in Color and The Secret Lives of Animals use advanced filming technology that lets us see their natural behaviors without disturbing them in any way. Meanwhile, National Geographic’s Incredible Animal Journeys used underwater cameras and rebreather diving equipment to follow humpback whales across the planet.
But it’s not just in the world of film: animals are enjoying a greater presence in the gaming industry too. Plenty of games focus on the beauty and magnificence of wild animals, or incorporate the cuteness and familiarity of pets. This shift demonstrates how much closer humans feel to animals than we might have in the past.
If you want an example, you’ve only got to pull up some new online gambling slots and you’ll see a whole host of cute animal themes. Slots such as Golden Buffalo, Three Wild Pigs, and Cai Fu Dai Panda all feature animals among the most important symbols. The animals who are the title characters often act as scatters that trigger free spins or wilds that perform the role of a joker to complete wins.
These new slots give us a good example of how recent advancements have been added to classic technology to provide something different. They’re based on classic slot machines that have been around for decades, but can now be played online smoothly, on desktop or mobile devices. This means that it’s now a lot easier to find the latest animal-inspired games and give them a try on any of the screens we use daily.
A Facebook post from SlotsLV mentioning the Big Boss Bonanza slot shows how other themes, like the eternal battle between cats and mice, can inspire fresh new games. We all know and love this motif, and it’s being brought to life in fresh ways by this kind of slot. Of course, online gambling is just one gaming niche where this is showing up, but there are plenty of others!
New Pet Technology for Happier Lives
Finally, a lot of the most important work in recent times has been put into finding ways to make our pets happier and healthier. With AI predicted to replace doctors in the future, we might also find that veterinary care for our pets switches to an AI approach. While we wait for this, many people already use pet monitors to keep an eye on their fluffy friends while they’re out. Some models offer additional features, such as games you can play with your pets remotely, and the chance to toss them treats no matter how far from home you are.
Smart feeders provide a terrific solution for anyone who isn’t always at home when their pet gets hungry. Some of these objects are fairly simple, while others use cutting-edge technology to incorporate meal scheduling and other useful features. As the most complex models are Internet of Things (IoT) devices, you can control them from your mobile device effortlessly.
Perhaps even more importantly, wearable devices can act as health and activity trackers to let us see exactly what our pets are up to. This type of tech is best known for its use in farms, but trackers and other wearable devices are also now available for domestic use. Just as we track our own heart rate, temperature, and other measures with fitness trackers, we can do the same with those cuddly friends we want to look after.
We all benefit from technology in an enormous number of ways, but it’s easy to forget how much animals can also benefit from our breakthroughs. Tech has the ability to make them safer, bring us closer to them, and enhance the lives of our pets in a multitude of ways. Given the rate of development, it feels like the sky is the limit.
