Across Alaska last year, there were 92 instances of animal strikes on the state’s runways.
This year, the Alaska Dept. of Transportation is rolling out a four-legged robotic guard animal that can be disguised as a fox or a coyote to deter animals from crossing or loitering on the runways.
The DoT and local airport managers have used all sorts of deterrents to try and keep runways clear of the state’s wildlife. These have included bringing pigs onto airport grounds to eat bird eggs in the 1990s, but also mounting speakers that produce loud noises, firing at animals with paintball guns, and even using drones that spray grape juice.
The robotic predator will prowl the runways at the Fairbanks airport, the state’s second-largest, and can move through snow and ice while being controlled at a console inside.
Panels of imitation fur print can be attached to make it appear like a fox or coyote, which the team behind the project decided on rather than fake fur.
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Named ‘Aurora’ the robot is a Spot model from Boston Dynamics’ commercial line of robots. It’s believed that Aurora will handle nesting and migratory birds easily enough, but an elongated testing period will also see if it can scare off larger animals like moose or bears.
If the tests are successful, Aurora may be replicated in other airports across the state. The robot cost $70,000 from Boston Dynamics.
WATCH the robot move across various Alaskan terrain…
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