The thirteenth edition of the Animal-Computer Interaction International Conference (ACI 2026) will take place from December 2 to 5, 2026, at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch in Switzerland. Hosted by the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), with Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel serving as General Chair, the conference will be the first ACI conference held in continental Europe. One of this year’s highlights will be the participation of Rehkitzrettung Schweiz, which will present its work in a talk and a live demonstration. Rehkitzrettung Schweiz has saved many thousands of young deer from injury and death across Switzerland. The organization uses drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to locate fawns hidden in meadows before agricultural mowing takes place. Since young deer often remain motionless when danger approaches, they are particularly vulnerable to mowing machinery. Drone-based detection makes it possible to find and rescue them in time. At ACI 2026, Rehkitzrettung Schweiz will give a presentation in the FutureHub (Forumsraum), providing insights into its activities and the technologies involved. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to experience a live demonstration on the meadow near the Hallerbau, where a drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera will search for an artificial fawn. The demonstration will illustrate how this technology works in practice and how it contributes to animal welfare. The organization’s activities are an excellent example of Animal-Machine Interaction, one of the main focuses of ACI 2026. They show how humans and machines can work together to protect animals, even when the animals themselves do not interact directly with the technology. The example also raises important questions about the responsible use of drones, sensors, and autonomous systems in environments shared by humans and animals. Further information on registration, the program, workshops, and participation is available on the ACI 2026 website.

Fig.: A deer in the grass