New predator stalks runways

New predator stalks runways

Alaska is getting a new predator with some amazing skills.

You might think the land of moose and bear has plenty of amazing predators already, but this one is a robot with a mission: Keep animals off runways.

Last year there were 92 instances of animal strikes on runway and these can be very dangerous — not just to the animals, but also planes and people.

But now the four-legged robot Aurora is coming to stalk the runways at the Fairbanks airport, hoping to spook birds and maybe even bears.

The dog-like robot is amazingly nimble. It can run across big rocks, snow, and ice, and even climb stairs. Designed with a colorful exterior, the robot can also be outfitted with a fur print to make it appear more like a fox or coyote.

Aurora can be controlled through a console inside the airport.