Australia Successfully Deploys RoBird, IPB University Expert: It Has the Potential to Be the Future of Bird Pest Control
Agricultural losses caused by bird pests in Australia are estimated to exceed 300 million dollars per year. Birds such as lorikeets often attack high value crops, such as strawberries, grapes, and grains.
According to Prof Ronny Rachman Noor, an Ecological Genetics Expert at IPB University, addressing this issue is not easy. This is because there are still many protected wild birds in Australia.
So far, conventional methods for deterring wild birds in Australian horticulture have included the use of nets, sound deterrents, reflective objects, and predator decoys. Although some of these methods are quite effective, they often come at a significant cost, can have adverse environmental impacts, and birds adapt quickly.
Robotic Predatory Bird
Prof Ronny noted that Australia is currently developing an innovative solution. The combination of knowledge about bird behavior and cutting-edge technology has led to the creation of the robotic predatory bird ‘RoBird’.
Essentially, RoBird mimics the natural strategies of the peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird, to protect crops from attacks by other birds that frequently damage agricultural plants.
“What’s most striking is the amazing biomimetic design, including the size, silhouette, and flight patterns that closely resemble those of a real falcon, causing the pest birds to feel threatened,” he explained.
More specifically, RoBird uses flexible polyurethane foam wings that can flap as it patrols farmland for about 15 minutes thanks to a rechargeable battery, making it more efficient. The robot is designed to be lightweight, weighing less than one kilogram, so it is easy to use and safe for wildlife because it is intended only to scare, not to harm.
Test results of RoBird in various strawberry farms across Australia showed a reduction in fruit damage caused by birds of up to 89 percent. “This drone is highly effective in deterring birds in an environmentally friendly way, without the need for gas shots or disrupting ecosystems like nets that can trap other animals,” said Prof Ronny.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Prof Ronny predicts that RoBird will become increasingly recognized as a pest control solution, particularly in the high value horticultural sector. Strawberry, grape, apple, and other export crop farmers will benefit significantly as RoBird becomes the primary tool for protecting their harvests, allowing farmers to work with greater peace of mind and confidence.
According to Prof Ronny, RoBird technology becomes even more powerful when combined with smart technology. The drone can be programmed for automatic patrols, connected to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) cameras, allowing it to detect birds in real-time with greater accuracy and efficiency.
“From a cost perspective, the use of this technology will be highly beneficial in the long term. Although the initial investment is quite substantial, the savings achieved through reduced crop damage will make this technology very cost effective and worth considering,” said Prof Ronny.
With these technological advancements, Prof Ronny believes that Australia has a great opportunity to become a global pioneer in the use of biomimetic drones for environmentally friendly agriculture. “Promising early success suggests that RoBird is expected to become the new standard in crop protection in Australia over the next 5–10 years, particularly in high-value horticulture,” he concluded. (*/Rz) (IAAS/KQA)
