Image courtesy: USA TODAY
A team of engineers at New Mexico Tech has developed a unique way to create realistic bird-like drones using body parts from preserved ducks and pigeons. These innovative "zombie" drones are designed to assist in wildlife monitoring by blending into their natural surroundings. Unlike traditional drones, which can disturb wildlife with their noise, these drones mimic the behaviour and appearance of real birds, making them less likely to cause alarm.
The project, which was first presented last year, has since evolved. The team has created mallard duck drones that can swim by kicking their legs, as well as pigeons with cameras fitted into their necks for better observation. The mallard ducks can also flap their wings, mimicking real-life duck movement in the water. Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at New Mexico Tech, clarified that no real birds were harmed when these drones were created. "We do not kill birds for the devices, and they are not developed for espionage purposes," he said.
The team’s goal is not only to monitor wildlife more effectively but also to address a growing concern: bird strikes near airports. Traditional drones can be disruptive due to their noise, potentially scaring animals away from important habitats. The newly developed bird drones, on the other hand, are quieter and less intrusive, making them ideal for gathering data without disturbing the natural environment.
The team’s latest work involves the integration of shape memory alloys into the claws of taxidermy pigeons, which would allow the pigeon drones to perch and observe their surroundings. These advancements aim to provide more efficient and natural ways of monitoring wildlife. "The main and only use for this project is wildlife monitoring, not spying," Dr. Hassanalian stressed. "Drones are used for wildlife monitoring, but they tend to create a lot of noise, which can scare the animals. Our goal is to avoid this and use something that’s more natural."
To create these drones, the team uses taxidermy birds that are available in the market, working closely with local taxidermy artists to ensure that the birds retain a natural look. "No real birds were physically harmed in the making of the drones," the team emphasized, further underscoring the ethical approach to this project.
The overarching objective of this project is to develop eco-friendly, low-impact platforms for wildlife research and environmental observation. The team also hopes that these bird-like drones could help prevent bird strikes near airports, a significant safety concern. "This fusion of taxidermy with drone technology marks a new era in bioinspired engineering," the team said. "It sets the stage for versatile, low-impact drones that can harmonize with nature and support wildlife conservation efforts."
As the project continues to evolve, these bioinspired drones could offer a more effective and sustainable approach to studying wildlife, all while ensuring that animals are not disturbed or harmed in the process.
