A robot dog is scheduled for deployment to Fairbanks International Airport in Alaska to keep birds and other wildlife away, and planes cleared for takeoff.
The mechanical pooch, named Aurora, was featured in a recent video post to Instagram by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Aurora is seen hopping and dancing around in the video, showing off a custom paint job by DOT&PF employee Andrea Deppner. The design represents the aurora borealis, or northern lights, for which the dog is named, with swirls of vibrant colors ranging from emerald green to indigo blue.
The agency noted that the robot was bought using funds from a federal research grant and will be stationed at the state's second-largest airport to improve safety and operations.
Aurora will be disguised as a coyote or a fox by replacing its exterior panels. The primary goal is for the robotic "predator" is to effectively scare away birds and other wildlife in a safe manner.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were 92 animal strikes at airports across Alaska last year, 10 of which occurred in Fairbanks.
"FAI isn't just recovering post-COVID: we're growing our market and breaking passenger records. Looking ahead, we're not just sticking to the basics. We're dreaming bigger - enhancing our facilities, introducing new services, and pushing for more connections that matter to our community and visitors," Airport Director Angie Spear said in a statement.
If the remote-controlled Aurora proves effective, more robots could be deployed at airports nationwide.
With reporting by TMX
