A wolf-shaped robot developed to repel wild animals is gaining explosive popularity in Japan, where frequent bear intrusions into residential areas have led to rising human casualties.
According to Japanese media reports on the 13th, Ota Seiki, a mechanical parts processing company in Nanae, Hokkaido, has seen orders for its “Monster Wolf” robot more than triple this year compared to previous years.
The robot activates when its infrared sensors detect approaching animals. It randomly emits over 50 different noises at construction-site levels of loudness and flashes powerful LED lights from its eyes to intimidate bears.
Originally developed in 2016 to protect crops from deer and other wildlife, the company has shipped more than 380 units to date. However, recent frequent bear appearances not only near homes but also in urban areas have sharply driven demand, leading to a two-to-three-month waiting period for installation.
“Orders used to come mainly from farms, but now construction sites and golf courses are also flooding us with requests,” said Yuji Ota, president of the company. “This shows how bears are increasingly encroaching on human living spaces.”