Dolphins identify objects using their sonar, which works by emitting short acoustic pulses with high bandwidth and high intensity. These echolocation impulses have a double chirp structure. The complex signal structure allows animals to collect more information than simply the distance to the object. They can evaluate object’s size, shape, and even the innards of the object, by processing the whole echo from the object.

The study of the dolphins’ clicks inspired a simulation of the signals for echolocation purposes. They are already used for object characterisation.

In addition, dolphins’ clicks are adaptive signals. Dolphins can change some parameters of the clicks during recognition process, which allows them to achieve better results for object characterisation.

This paper presents background and the main concept of the adaptive echolocation using bio-inspired signals. Implementation of adaptive echolocation is a new approach and can improve object characterisation and will help to achieve more accurate results.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Heriot-Watt University, Edinburdh, UK

   Mariia Dmitrieva, Keith Brown & David Lane

Corresponding author

Correspondence toMariia Dmitrieva.

Editors and Affiliations

1. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

   Stuart P. Wilson

2. Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain

   Paul F.M.J. Verschure

3. Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain

   Anna Mura

4. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

   Tony J. Prescott

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