Robot falcons are being used to keep airport safe

Updated

Edmonton International Airport in Canada is deploying robot falcons on their runways in a bid to clear birds from the path of planes.

See also: Could endless runways be the future of airports?

See also: Airport brings in therapy horses to cheer up travellers

The 'robo birds' will guide real birds away from air traffic on the assumption that real birds will instinctively flee'.

Edmonton says it's the first airport to introduce this technology.

The robot mimics the flight of the real falcon, making other birds think it's a real predator in their environment.

The FAA estimates birds cost around $400 (£310m) million in aircraft damage each year in the United States alone.

Advertisement