Latest news with #RobotCoyotes
Toronto Sun
13-07-2025
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Robot coyotes eyed by U.S. army to protect fighter jets from wildlife
U.S. Army researchers have developed an unmanned ground vehicle featuring plastic coyotes mounted on top that can help deter problematic wildlife such as birds. Photo by U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center / LinkedIn American researchers have come up with a novel idea to keep birds and other wildlife away from fighter jets stationed at airfields across the U.S. Robot coyotes. Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) released an image of three unmanned ground vehicles with life-size plastic figures mounted on top in a grassy field near the U.S. navy's elite Blue Angels fighter jet demonstration team. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Not 'Coyote Ugly' but rather 'Robot Coyotes'. The US Army's newest trick for protecting aircraftThe US Army has found an unlikely ally in its fight to protect military aircraft. Its Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has developed 'coyote rovers,' four-wheeled… — Mike Alderson FRSA (@OpenEyeComms) July 12, 2025 In other words, they repurposed the scarecrow and replaced it with fake predators. The centre said in a social media post they are aiming to help 'biologists and managers at military airfields deter wildlife, particularly problematic birds, from posing a risk to flight crews, aircraft and operations.' Last year, the centre began collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Research Center in Ohio to test the effectiveness of Coyote Rovers at scaring off wildlife through several trials. Shea Hammond, a research biologist for ERDC, said he and Jacob Jung, an ERDC research wildlife biologist, have worked on the developing the Coyote Rovers over the last five years. RECOMMENDED VIDEO This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hammond believes that the technology could also be used by civil infrastructure authorities as well as the military. 'They basically have the same functionality as any other drone,' Hammond told the Army Times . 'We can program areas we want to exclude it from going, such as the airfield itself. We had worked on docking stations and recharging stations so it can operate on a programmed timer, so it can have utility for multiple days.' Hammond said scientists could employ artificial intelligence and machine-learning skills in future versions of the Coyote Rovers. In the past, dogs were sometimes used to deter wildlife from getting near expensive military aircraft, equipment and buildings, Hammond noted. But that job could be done better by these coyote robots, he added. Read More Golf Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Toronto & GTA
The Verge
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
Robot coyotes are protecting the Blue Angels from airport pests.
Posted Jul 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM UTC Robot coyotes are protecting the Blue Angels from airport pests. Built atop a 20 mph Traxxas RC car, the UGVs are upgraded with plastic coyotes to make them more intimidating and cost around $3,000 each, according to New Atlas . Testing is still under way, including at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida where the Blue Angels call home.
