Apes Communicate With Humans Using iPad-Like Interface

Bonobo Chat can also function as a human-bonobo translator

Researchers at the Bonobo Hope Great Ape Trust Sanctuaryin Des Moines, Iowa, have spent the past seven years developing a lexigram communication system for bonobos to learn and use. To communicate with humans, bonobos in the sanctuary touch lexigrams found in large wall-mounted touchscreen displays. Ken Schwaller, head programmer and board chair of the Sanctuary, has now developed Bonobo Chat, an app of the lexigram system installed in personal interconnected keyboards bonobos can carry around with them.

Bonobo Chat can also function as a human-bonobo translator, where users can speak to the device in English and Bonobo Chat will translate the sentence into lexigram form for bonobos to understand. Bonobos, on the other hand, can select lexigrams on their portable screens, which Bonobo Chat can convert into spoken English for humans.