Airport Unveils Predator‑Dressed Robot to Deter Wildlife From Runways

Wildlife‑Deterring Robot Mimics Foxes and Coyotes

How the Machine Works

The autonomous unit is engineered to appear just like a fox or a lone coyote, compelling animals to stay far from airport runways.

Key Features

• Realistic Appearances – Detailed fur textures and natural body motion give the illusion of a genuine predator.
• Remote Control – Operators can pilot the robot from a base station or let it follow pre‑programmed migratory routes.
• Silent Operations – The machinery is designed to emit minimal noise, reducing disturbance to surrounding wildlife.
• Adaptive Lighting – Nighttime illumination allows the robot to be seen without startling other species unduly.

Benefits for Aviation Safety

By persuading animals to flee the vicinity of runways, the robot drastically lowers the chance of wildlife strikes, ensuring smoother take‑offs and landings for aircraft.

Future Outlook

Ongoing research aims to integrate additional predator types while improving energy efficiency, making the system even more viable for airports worldwide.

A New Robotics Initiative to Protect Wildlife at Alaska Airports

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has introduced a pioneering four‑legged, headless robot named Aurora. This wheeled guardian, roughly the size of a Labrador, will be stationed at Fairbanks International Airport—Alaska’s second‑largest air hub—to bolster safety and streamline airport operations.

Key Features

• Camouflaged Design – Aurora is disguised as a coyote or fox, enabling it to blend seamlessly into the local wildlife environment.
• Mobility – The robot can traverse uneven terrain, scale miniature stairs, and navigate rocky pavements, as highlighted in the department’s demonstration video.
• Behavioral Mimicry – Equipped with green LED indicators, it can perform rhythmic, predator‑like movements that discourage birds and other fauna from settling near aircraft infields.

Operational Timeline

The technology will become fully active during the autumn migratory season, when Aurora’s simulated hunting motions will serve as a deterrent to migratory birds and other wildlife.

Objective

The overarching aim is to reduce wildlife-related risks at the airport, enhancing both safety for aircraft operations and the well-being of the surrounding ecosystem.

Alaska Department of Transportation Unveils Robotic Dog in Anchorage

Snow‑Capable Bot Demonstrates Future Road Maintenance Capabilities

On March 26, 2024, the Alaska Department of Transportation introduced a cutting‑edge robotic dog that can navigate the snowy streets of Anchorage, showcasing a pioneering solution for winter road management.

• Date of demonstration: March 26, 2024
• Equipped with thermal sensors and GPS navigation for precise terrain mapping.
• Designed to detect road hazards, measure surface conditions, and transmit data to maintenance crews.
• Offers potential to significantly reduce operational costs while enhancing safety during severe weather.

Marc Lester of the Anchorage Daily News reports that the Department plans to incorporate such robots into its regular patrol schedule, aiming to autonomously assess road conditions and identify areas requiring immediate attention.

How will a four-legged robot save birds from plane strikes?

Airport Launches Autonomous Predator Robot to Mitigate Wildlife Hazards

Key Point of the Program

Aurora will patrol a designated outdoor zone near the runway on an hourly basis, aiming to deter dangerous interactions between aircraft and local fauna.

Project Leadership

The concept was introduced by Ryan Marlow, a program manager in the transportation department, during a recent briefing to legislators.

Innovative Design

• Modular exterior panels enable Aurora to mimic the appearance of various desert predators, such as coyotes or foxes.
• Panels are intentionally not hyper‑realistic to maintain a broad deterrent effect while simplifying manufacturing.
• Animal fur material was excluded from the build; this choice keeps the robot fully waterproof and durable against harsh environmental conditions.

Operational Strategy

By presenting a realistic predator façade, Aurora is expected to trigger instinctual avoidance behaviors in wildlife. This approach eliminates the need for conventional deterrent tactics.

Next Steps

The program is set to begin field trials shortly, with anticipated expansion to other high‑risk airport sites contingent on early outcomes.

The Alaska Department of Transportation released a March 2024 illustration that portrays the robot Aurora. Its casing is stylized to resemble a fox, a creative visual trick meant to blend the technology into the natural surroundings. Ryan Marlow from the Department captured the image, which also highlights Aurora’s sleek chassis, solar panels, and adaptive sensors tailored for wildlife interaction.

The idea of using Aurora emerged after officials abandoned a drone‑spray plan that would have dispersed a grape‑juice repellent. Prior attempts included:

A proposal to deploy flying drones to release a grape‑juice solution over the airport’s approach lanes was rejected due to environmental concerns and logistical challenges.

In the 1990s, Anchorage airport authorities released pigs near a lake as a biological deterrent. The hope was that the animals would consume waterfowl eggs close to landing routes. Though novel, the program’s effectiveness was mixed.

During the trial period in Fairbanks, Aurora will be evaluated for how well it deters large animals such as moose and bears. Marlow informed the Anchorage newspaper that researchers will monitor the robot’s impact on wildlife behavior near flight corridors.

A spokesperson for the Department, Danielle Tessen, noted that Alaska is at the forefront of wildlife mitigation via robots. Across the United States, airports have begun employing robots for cleaning, security patrols, and customer interaction. In Alaska, these systems are predominantly used to shield runway areas from birds and other wildlife through amplified sonic deterrents.

The deployment of Aurora signals a shift toward technologically driven wildlife management in aviation. By blending inventive design with practical deterrence strategies, Alaska seeks to maintain safer air traffic operations while preserving the local wildlife ecosystem.

Alaska DOT Unveils Autonomous “Dog” During Public Demonstration

Program Manager Showcases Team’s Latest Robotics Innovation

Location & Date

Anchorage, Alaska – March 26, 2024

The Alaska Department of Transportation showcased its cutting‑edge robotic dog at a public event in Anchorage, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to advanced technology for infrastructure maintenance. Program manager Ryan Marlow led the presentation, highlighting the pet‑like machine’s versatility in navigating roads and inspecting transport assets.

Key Features Demonstrated

• Autonomous navigation along roadways and bridge surfaces
• Real‑time data collection on road conditions and traffic patterns
• Remote operation and monitoring via a handheld tablet
• Weather resilience—temperature‑controlled housing ensures uninterrupted performance during winter conditions

The demonstration attracted a range of stakeholders, including local government officials and members of the transportation community, all eager to observe how robotics could streamline and enhance ongoing projects across Alaska’s vast and often remote terrain.

Why are wildlife deterrents needed at airports?

Alaska’s Wildlife Strikes on the Runways

FAA data from the previous year reveals 92 wildlife collisions near airports across the state, with 10 incidents occurring in Fairbanks alone.

Impact on Aircraft and Safety Concerns

Although most encounters incurred no damage to aircraft, the pilot Mar’s notes emphasize that the potential for a bird to be ingested by an engine is a costly and hazardous event. Such a scenario can lead to catastrophic failures, as illustrated by the 1995 AWACS jet accident at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, where a flock of geese caused a crash that tragically claimed 24 lives.

Testing a New Robotics Deterrent

Should the ongoing test prove successful, the agency plans to deploy similar robots to smaller regional airports across Alaska, potentially offering a more economical alternative to traditional human deterrence teams. The Finnish‑based robot, Aurora, can be operated from a handheld device, a computer, or on an automated schedule, and it will always be accompanied by a human operator. Importantly, it is capable of navigating safely through adverse weather conditions such as rain and snow.

Investment and Funding

• The Boston Dynamics robot used for testing cost approximately $70,000 (€65,000).
• Funding was secured through a federal grant.