Georgia Tech and Zoo Atlanta Develop High-Tech Walls to Enhance Elephant Well-being
Georgia Tech researchers, in collaboration with Zoo Atlanta, are developing innovative technology to improve the mental stimulation and overall well-being of elephants. Arianna Mastali, a PhD student at Georgia Tech, is leading the project to create an interactive wall that emits low-frequency sounds similar to those elephants hear in the wild. These sounds are designed to keep the elephants mentally engaged without using natural elephant sounds, which could potentially confuse them. The wall's features are tailored to elicit specific behaviors, such as trunk manipulation and sensory interaction, which help keep the elephants active and interested. The project has already resulted in the elephants spending twice as much time interacting with the wall. The team is working on further advancements, including using computer vision to enhance the system's accuracy and durability. 
