In-field evaluation and behavioral analysis of a drawing-based penguin observation system

Penguins in aquariums and zoos are typically exhibited in groups of several dozen individuals, making it challenging for visitors to notice and observe them as distinct individuals. This study examines how drawing-based individual identification can transform passive aquarium viewing into a playful, comparative, and socially shared observation experience. Previous field studies with general aquarium visitors indicated that the system encouraged closer attention to individual penguins and stimulated social interaction. However, these findings relied mainly on qualitative behavioral observations, leaving visitors’ interaction patterns insufficiently quantified. We conducted a one-week field deployment of the system in a real aquarium and combined interaction logs with behavioral observation notes to analyze how visitors drew patterns, compared retrieved candidates, shared devices, and returned to the system. By analyzing interaction logs collected during the field deployment, we reveal behavioral patterns such as same-day repeat access and multi-day access. These results provide behavioral indicators that drawing-based interaction can support revisitable and socially shared engagement with individual animals, demonstrating its potential as an entertainment-oriented approach to enriching zoo and aquarium experiences.