Kushiro Airport in Hokkaido Introduces 'Monster Wolf' Robot to Patrol and Deter Wildlife in All Weather

Amid frequent bear sightings across Japan, Kushiro Airport in Hokkaido today publicly unveiled a newly introduced wolf-shaped robot called 'Monster Wolf' to media, aiming to deter wildlife such as bears that could interfere with aircraft takeoffs and landings.

According to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun and Kushiro Shimbun, the robot measures 168 cm in length, 78 cm in width, and 100 cm in height, weighing approximately 120 kg. It is a self-propelled unit combining the 'Monster Wolf' with YARBO, a device capable of mowing grass and snow removal.

The unit emits sounds comparable to car horns and randomly plays 50 types of noises disliked by animals, including dog barks and human voices.

Additionally, the robot is equipped with GPS and uses solar-charged batteries, automatically returning to its charging station when power is low.

It travels at a speed of about 1 to 2 km/h, taking approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete a round trip along a 250-meter perimeter road within the airport's controlled area. It conducts continuous 24/7 patrols, emitting deterrent sounds while mowing grass during movement and emitting light at night.

Hokkaido Airport Company (HAP) stated that Kushiro Airport began pilot testing the 'Monster Wolf' in the 2024 fiscal year. Results showed that during operation, sightings of foxes, rabbits, and other small animals decreased by about 60% compared to before. This not only reduced the risk of wildlife-aircraft collisions but also decreased the number of times airport staff had to respond urgently to drive away animals, helping to reduce employee workload and save manpower.

Yoshihiro Mikkami, Airport Operations Manager at HAP Kushiro Airport Office, said: 'It has now been confirmed that this equipment significantly contributes to airport safety. We aim to further enhance safety by building on field experience.'

Yuji Ota, President of Ota Seiki, the company that developed the 'Monster Wolf,' said: 'It is very encouraging to see this technology succeed in the highly safety-critical environment of an airport. We hope to expand its use to regions suffering from frequent bear intrusions.' (Compiled by Li Jing)