Using Marker-Based Motion Capture to Develop a Head Bobbing Robotic Lizard

Robotic animals are regularly used in behavioral experiments, typically in experimental interactions with individuals of the species they were modelled on. In order to do so successfully, these robots need to be designed carefully, taking into consideration the specific perceptual system of the model species. We used marker-based motion capture to measure head bobbing in a widely popular lizard species, bearded dragons, and found that head bobbing is highly stereotypic yet differs subtly when displayed towards males and females. These results were then used for the construction of a robotic lizard, with the aim to use it in behavioral and cognitive studies, focusing on social cognition. This is the first study to use motion capture of head bobbing in lizards to inform the design of a robotic animal.