In Japan, the demand for unusual Monster Wolf robots, which are used to scare away bears and other wild animals, is rapidly growing, writes xrust. The device manufacturer, the Japanese company Ohta Seiki, has already admitted that it does not have time to fulfill orders: the queue for deliveries has stretched for several months.
The reason for the excitement is a sharp increase in the number of bear attacks on people. According to Japanese media, over the past two years, dozens of deadly incidents have been recorded in the country, and the number of bear sightings near populated areas has exceeded 50 thousand cases.
Against this background, robotic “monsters” unexpectedly turned from an exotic development into a sought-after means of protecting rural areas.
How Monster Wolf works
Monster Wolf is not just a mechanical toy, but a full-fledged automated animal repellent system. Externally, the device resembles a huge wolf with a bared mouth, artificial fur and bright red LED eyes.
When the built-in sensors detect movement, the robot begins to turn its head, flash LED lights and play aggressive sounds: howls, growls, human screams and even industrial noises. In total, the system can play more than 50 different audio signals.
Sounds can be heard at a distance of up to one kilometer, which makes the device effective even in large agricultural areas.
The development runs on a battery, and some versions are equipped with solar panels for autonomous operation in field conditions. The cost of one complex starts from approximately $4,000.
From agriculture to bear fighting
Monster Wolf was originally created as an electronic scarecrow to protect crops from wild boars and deer. The first versions appeared back in 2016, but at that time the project was perceived more as a technological curiosity.
The situation has changed after an increase in the number of bear attacks in the northern regions of Japan. Predators began to appear more often near residential buildings, schools, tourist areas and even supermarkets. Experts attribute this to climate change, food shortages in forests and a decline in the rural population.
As a result, farmers, golf club owners, construction companies and municipal authorities began to purchase robotic wolves en masse.
Ohta Seiki President Yuji Ota told reporters that the company produces devices by hand and can no longer cope with the volume of orders. According to him, customers are forced to wait two to three months for delivery.
Japanese robots are becoming smarter
The most interesting part of the project for the IT industry was the further development of Monster Wolf. The manufacturer is already working on mobile versions of the robot that will be able to independently patrol the territory and chase animals.
In addition, engineers are testing the integration of AI cameras and intelligent motion recognition systems. It is assumed that the new versions will be able to automatically distinguish a person from a wild animal, analyze the behavior of bears and select the optimal scaring scenario.
In fact, we are talking about creating an autonomous robotic platform for protecting territories.
Such solutions fit well into the general trend of development of “smart” security systems, where software, computer vision and automation are beginning to be used not only in industry or urban video surveillance, but also in the field of wildlife protection.
Robots instead of hunting
Japanese authorities and developers emphasize that Monster Wolf is seen as a humane alternative to the mass destruction of animals.
Previously, the country has already begun to use drones with pepper aerosols and remote monitoring systems for bears. Now these technologies have been supplemented by robotic predators that psychologically influence animals without causing them physical harm.
At the same time, some experts warn: over time, bears may get used to robots if the devices do not constantly change their behavior and sound signals. That is why developers rely on programmable scripts, random algorithms and elements of artificial intelligence.
Horror movie technology has become a real business
On the Internet, Monster Wolf is already called one of the most unusual robotic systems of recent years. Users compare the device with characters from horror films and cyberpunk films, but it is the frightening appearance that turns out to be the main advantage of the development.
Today, the Japanese company is not only expanding production, but also designing compact portable versions for tourists, fishermen and schoolchildren.
The story of Monster Wolf shows how a niche engineering idea can turn into a sought-after technology product through a combination of robotics, automation and programmable behavior systems. For Japan, this is no longer just an exotic experiment, but a full-fledged market for protective robotic systems.
From the pages of https://www.techradar.com
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