a robot designed to mimic the look and flight of an actual peregrine falcon
so as to scare birds away from airports and waste processing plants,
has made its maiden flight at Weeze Airport, in Germany.
The bird is the flagship product of Enschede,
Netherlands-based Clear Flight Solutions,
a robotics and drone spin-off company of the University of Twente
In addition to testing the Robird,the company is also training the Robird's "pilot" and "observer"
(who watches other air training)."If you operate at an airport,
there are a lot of protocols that you have to follow,"
says Clear Flight Solutions CEO Nico Nijenhuis.
"You;re"working in a high-risk area and there are all kinds of things that you need to check.
We use the latest technologies, but the human aspect also remains crucial.