Robot Wolves Protecting Japanese Town From Bears
A Japanese town is protecting itself from wandering bears with a pair of unusual guardians: motion-detecting robot wolves.
Officials in Takikawa, on the island of Hokkaido, said concern about an increase of bear incursions into residential neighborhoods this year led to their purchasing two Monster Wolves, robotic guard canines created by machinery firm Ohta Seiki in partnership with a local university.
The Monster Wolves, which are made of metal and covered in fake fur to make them appear real to other animals, are outfitted with motion detectors that cause them to activate. The wolves then flash red lights in their eyes, move their heads back and forth and emit a series of howling and screeching noises.
