While doing my nightly reading, I stumbled across this article. The article states that robotic dolphins could soon be an actual thing, and that these developments could see captive dolphins, and other creatures, a thing of the past.
The writer claims that to start with, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the animatrons and the real deal, I however, remain sceptical about that.
It did get me thinking about captive marine life, and while as a fish keeper I am guilty of doing the exact same thing as these large aquariums, I can’t help but feel sorry for the larger marine creatures, sharks, dolphins, whales etc. So, just maybe, these animatrons will put and end to the larger aquariums using these animals to gain visitors, which I think can only be a good thing.
Now, I realise there is more involved than meets the eye, many aquariums help rehabilitate sick or injured animals, donate to the conservation of ocean reefs & provide invaluable research. But maybe, just maybe, they can still continue to do these things behind closed doors, and use the robots for peoples viewing pleasure.
Edge Innovations New Zealand company Edge Innovations developed animatronic dolphins to be used in aquariums. The robots are remote controlled and could be used in place of captive dolphins. One dolphin robot could cost R440 million.
Robotic dolphins worth R440 million each are coming to a Chinese aquarium soon — Ten15AM
