Creator of the BOT (Behavior Observational Tool) – Eric Simonton
By Kayla Adgate
Sometimes when you finish a project and send it off into the universe, it takes on a life of its own. That’s what happened with Eric Simonton’s Behavior Observational Tool, the “BOT.” Last month we told you how we use this tool, this month we want to explain how it got developed.
According to Kate Donovan, the Behavior Coordinator of Project Chimps, the BOT is used in the field to track and document abnormal behaviors, behaviors that are defined as “atypical for the species and are often considered to be indicators of poor welfare.” This data is important because it helps the care team determine whether or not medical or other environmental interventions are needed to help chimps live happy, healthy lives.
Simple Beginnings for the Behavior Observational Tool
Eric developed the BOT several years ago. It’s actually an incredibly humorous and somewhat cosmic story.
He was sitting around a table of friends at a birthday party and simply inquired “what would make a useful app?” Luckily for Project Chimps, one of the guests at this party happened to be a psychologist. This psychologist expressed a need for a behavioral observation tool. The rest is history.
Although the BOT started out very simply, it has organically evolved to take on a life of its own. Eric has expanded and revised the BOT to meet the needs of his clients. When a client requests a new feature, he works to make it happen. Thus, the BOT has become more and more refined and nuanced over time.
Where are the BOT and Eric today?
Due to the BOT’s malleability, different versions of the BOT can be found in many different fields such as classrooms, companies, and universities. In the field of animal behavior research, the BOT is also used to observe animals other than chimps, even whales!
Today, Eric works as a software engineer, leading a small team of engineers. Although he doesn’t have much time these days to work on fun side projects, he hopes to re-write and expand his early projects, like the BOT, weather apps, and even Sudoku! Eric stays inspired to develop new apps by finding gaps in the technology he uses every day and working to fix them.
When Eric learned about the impact his BOT is making in the lives of chimps every day, he was extremely happy. Again, sometimes you send something off into the universe, and you forget it. You don’t know the ripple effects it makes, or the lives you might touch. Eric is just happy to have helped. He plans to continue working on technology that helps others and improves the world around him.
Please consider donating to ensure we always have access to the tools and treatments we need for the chimps.
