AASHTO Journal - Alaska DOT&PF Puts Robot Dog on Airport Patrol

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is helping Fairbanks International Airport deploy a “robot dog” named Aurora to deter wildlife from entering runways and aircraft operation areas.

[Above photo by Alaska DOT&PF]

Named after Alaska’s famous northern lights, the agency said in a statement that the Aurora robot can navigate rugged terrains and endure harsh weather conditions prevalent in Alaska’s interior. Its deployment at the Fairbanks airport marks the first time an American airport is using a robotic dog for active wildlife control.

Aurora can operate for 90 minutes at time and takes 30 minutes to charge completely. Alaska DOT&PF said Aurora, which can be operated with a tablet, computer, or autonomously, will always have a human “handler” to control the robot’s movements.

The agency noted that Aurora comes equipped with the ability to crawl, crouch, walk, and sit – with the scope of its abilities including data collection, species identification, wildlife mitigation, and notification.

The four-legged 72-pound robot – developed by Boston Dynamics at a cost of roughly $70,000 per unit – is about the size of a Labrador retriever and has a top speed of 3.58 miles per hour.

The Alaska DOT&PF said the plan is to use Aurora to “meticulously” document migratory bird species in collaboration with a wildlife biologist, according to employ non-lethal methods to manage wildlife activity.

Migratory birds present a significant hazard to aircraft safety, endangering both their own lives and those aboard planes.

Aurora represents a proactive approach to mitigating these potential threats in a manner that prioritizes safety for all involved, the agency said – adding that Aurora was paid for by a grant in partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture to test the feasibility of robotic wildlife mitigation.

The Alaska DOT&PF noted that it will monitor Aurora’s impact on wildlife mitigation at the Fairbanks airport and assess the potential for broader implementation across other airports in the state; a pilot project that is part of a larger initiative to incorporate more advanced technology solutions in the day-to-day operations of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure.

The Alaska DOT&PF is also currently involved in similar advanced technology pilot tests. For example, in February and in collaboration with other state agencies and private sector partners, the agency began testing drone-based avalanche mitigation technology; a system that uses Uncrewed Aerial System or UAS craft to place and then remotely trigger explosives to create controlled avalanches in order to protect transportation infrastructure.