Hello everyone! I am looking for cat owners keen to help out with a research project, I am studying cats to see whether we can estimate their age just by their voices. 🗣️🐈 For this, I need data. Lots of it.
It’s quick and simple - please help me by recording your furry friend’s meows according to the specific instructions in the image below.* 📝🎤 Any contribution is invaluable and will help gain insight into the development of age-related vocalisation patterns in cats! 🧠🐾
The more meows the better, so please feel free to send me multiple recordings! 🎧📈
*n.b. By sending this data, you are consenting to its use for research purposes as part of a deep learning tool for age estimation of the domestic cat. This study aims to develop a non-invasive method to determine a cat’s age through vocalisations. This approach promises significant benefits in veterinary care, can aid rescue centres in creating accurate adoption profiles, and has potential implications for understanding the age demographics of feral cats.
** EDIT:
Adding some additional info following a user comment
This is part of my dissertation project for my MSc in AI, I am working on building a pipeline for age prediction based on vocalisations. While the primary goal is to achieve a robust deep learning model for age estimation in cats, this project could serve as a pipeline for other species in future. I ultimately want to work in the field of bioacoustics and use the sounds of nature for work in conservation efforts, this is the first step towards that.
Depending on how the project goes, I would like to build an app so that this can be used in the field by veterinarians and rescue centres and the such. Of course this would include a whole lot of extra GDPR and real-time processing efforts. If time allows it I might build one for demonstration purposes and release it in the future.
I will release the implementation details in full upon completion. I am working through comparative development of certain architectures which I think will be useful for the wider field.
I do not have a conflict of interest. I recommend Dolby On to record the meows as it allows for Waveform Audio File format (.wav) recordings that I require for processing and feature extraction, and easy exports.
Here is a copy of the email that each participant receives, detailing data subject rights and right to withdraw at any time:
Any other questions, just let me know! I really appreciate any input and participation, thanks :)
What organization are you researching with? Why is the submission via Gmail?
How are you handling participant data (mostly email addresses, it seems)? Can participants opt out and revoke access to the data after submission?
Do you have a conflict of interest? Do you or any of your colleagues have an affiliation with Dolby or other companies involved in the research?
Did this proposal pass IRB? I’m guessing it’s exempt, so probably yes, but do you have the approval number?
What do you plan on doing with the model? Are these data for training the model or for testing it?
I know those questions sound a lil aggro, and to be clear, I don’t think there are necessarily right answers. Maybe you’re an undergraduate or hobbiest, like… I don’t think IRB is super important for a cute cat study. But I do think this kind of info should be included in recruitment calls as a standard!
Cheers, seems cute and fun
Hello, rightful questions - apologies for not including this!
I’m an MSc student in AI and this is for my dissertation. I did consider a Google form or similar, however via email seemed easiest considering the Dolby app has a direct share option (I am not affiliated no, but I do think it is an excellent app). In terms of approval, I received ethical approval from my university to go ahead with my research proposal.
Every participant will receive an email with the further points you mention. I’ll attach a copy here.
And thanks for the heads up, I will include this info when I post elsewhere.