TECH – At Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in China, a new “employee” has quietly begun working around the clock: the country’s first track-based intelligent robot designed to keep birds off the runway.
Launched in late November 2025, this robotic sentinel patrols continuously to reduce the risk of bird strikes—one of the major hazards for aircraft during takeoff and landing. It’s engineered to handle a temperature range from –20 °C to 45 °C and can traverse diverse terrains such as grass, mud, or shallow water with ease.
Equipped with high-definition cameras, directional sound emitters, and insect-deterring lamps, the robot doesn’t just drive birds away temporarily—it reduces their food sources too. By simulating more than 20 different sounds, it scares off birds, while its lamps aim to control pests.
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Compared to manual patrols—which typically deploy several staff per runway and may not operate consistently—the robot can patrol nonstop. A single two-hour charge lets it cover roughly six kilometers—enough to monitor most of the runway area.
During its trial period starting in October, the technology already showed tangible benefits: bird activity in targeted zones dropped by about 30%. The robot also sends live video and bird-movement data to airport control teams, enabling more accurate long-term monitoring and ecological management.
Looking ahead, airport authorities plan to add AI-powered behavioral prediction for birds, combining technical deterrence with ecological regulation—part of a broader move toward smarter, environmentally conscious airport operations.
This robot marks a notable milestone in aviation safety: by automating what has long been a tough and often inconsistent human task, Hangzhou’s runway guard ushers in a future where tech and nature coexist more safely around airports.
