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Article published In:
Animal-Computer Interfaces: Novel Approaches for Studying Animal Behavior, Cognition and Communication
Edited by Irene M. Pepperberg
[Interaction Studies 24:2] 2023
► pp. 225–256

Systematic iterative design of interactive devices for animals

Guidance and reflections

ORCID logo | University of Glasgow
The numerous systems designed to facilitate animals’ use of computers often are specific to the animals involved, their unique context, and the applications – enrichment among them. Hence, several development methods have arisen in parallel, largely transposed from the human-computer interaction (HCI) domain. In light of that prior work, the paper presents a step-by-step guide for iteratively designing and constructing interactive computers for animals, informed by the rich history of HCI yet applying animal-centred principles, to enrich animal-computer interaction. For each stage in the iterative design (requirements, ideation, prototyping, and testing), the author reflects on real-world experience of building interactive devices for various animals. The paper concludes with overarching considerations vital for future practice of developing interactive computers for animals. Thus, it serves as a valuable reference and information source for researchers designing novel computer systems for animals.
Keywords: iterative design, interactive devices for animals, animal-computer interaction
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Iterative design
    • 2.1Iterative design with animals
    • 2.2Iterative design with animals, from theory to practice
    • 2.3An iterative design model for developing technology for animals
  • 3.Requirements
    • 3.1Compiling the requirements: Lessons learned
  • 4.Ideation
    • 4.1Key lessons from ideation experience
  • 5.Prototyping
    • 5.1Insight related to prototyping
  • 6.Testing and analysis
    • 6.1Lessons for testing and analysis
  • 7.Key considerations in iterative design for animals
  • 8.Conclusions
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Published online: 3 November 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/is.22045.hir
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