Umamimi robotic horse ears – using configurable code profiles to replicate individuality in equine animatronics

Abstract

In this descriptive paper, the author reports developing a set of prototype, programmable animatronic, robotic horse ears. Applications are: (i) when worn by a human, to explore interaction between horses and humans, using (technologically enhanced) body language and (ii) when used stand-alone, as a potential robotic companion for solo, stressed or recuperating horses. This work compliments literature on horses’ use of ear-based attentional cues and their understanding of human facial expressions. The ears have: user-triggered movements (when worn by a human) and random movements when there is no user input. Also proposed: a path to modelling the personalities and moods of real, individual horses, using an ethogram for logging horse ear movement characteristics. Configurable code profiles are built from these observations, customising the random movements of the ears. This work suggests possibilities for studying a horse’s response to experiencing her own ear movement characteristics reflected back at her, via technology.