Long criticized for their controversial dolphin captivity practices, dolphinariums are about to undergo a real revolution thanks to Edge Innovation.
This American company specialized in designing animatronic robots for movies and theme parks, unveiled an ultra-realistic dolphin robot in 2020 that will replace live dolphins in shows and interactions with visitors.
This dolphin robot has been created with amazing precision and realism. Faithfully reproducing the appearance, movements and behaviors of a real dolphin, the robot can interact with humans in a convincing and engaging way.
It is equipped with sophisticated sensors that allow it to detect and react to its environment and the people around it.
The robot's skin is made of a special material that mimics the texture of a dolphin's skin, while its internal structure is designed to mimic the fluid and natural movements of the animal.
The use of dolphin robots in dolphinariums has several major advantages for the animals and the facilities:
First, it puts an end to dolphin captivity, often decried for its impact on the animals' physical and mental health. Wild dolphins will be able to remain in their natural habitat and live a life free of captivity-related stress.
For dolphinariums, the dolphin robot offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. Institutions will no longer need to maintain important infrastructures to ensure the well-being of captive animals, which will result in energy and resource savings. In addition, dolphinariums will be able to focus on educational and outreach missions to protect dolphins and their natural habitat.
As technology continues to advance, it is possible that other marine animals could also benefit from this innovation, paving the way for ethical alternatives for other species held in captivity in water parks and aquariums.