Designing for the exceptional user: Nonhuman animal-computer interaction (ACI)

As sophisticated computer technologies become more affordable, flexible, and accessible, there is increasing interest in their application to nonhuman animals. A limiting factor however, is that traditional computer design has been anthropocentric. Animal factors have not driven the design of the majority of computer technologies that have, or could be applied to this user population. The anthropocentric nature of current hardware and software may act as a barrier for successful animal-computer interaction (ACI). In this review, the authors consolidate literature from diverse disciplines including psychology, computer science, human-computer interaction, animal behaviour and welfare, biology, ergonomics, medicine, human factors and disability studies to explore (a) how human-computer interaction (HCI) principles may apply (or not apply) to ACI, (b) how principles and computer system designs exclusive for ACI may be developed, and (c) how animal-centered computer designs may benefit HCI and its user population.