Fairbanks’ robot dog at the airport has a pronoun (she/her), a first for a U.S. airport

Fairbanks International Airport has begun using a robotic dog to scare away birds and other wildlife that could pose a threat to air traffic. The robot is named “Aurora,” and the Alaska Department of Transportation calls it a “her” in a press release:

“Named after Alaska’s famous Northern Lights, Aurora is a technologically advanced robot with the ability to navigate rugged terrain and endure the harsh weather conditions found in Alaska’s interior,” DOT said. “Her deployment at FAI marks the first time a U.S. airport has used a robotic dog for active wildlife control, setting a precedent for innovation in airport safety and wildlife management.”

“Aurora can operate for 90 minutes at a time and takes 30 minutes to fully charge. Aurora’s handler controls her movements using a remote control that allows them to see what she sees and determine the method of approach. She is equipped with the ability to crawl, crouch, walk and sit. The scope of her abilities includes data collection, species identification, wildlife mitigation and reporting alerts,” the department said.

The Department of Transportation is beta testing the robotic dog and is considering deploying similar models at other airports in the state. Aurora is equipped with advanced sensors and programmable capabilities to actively patrol airport grounds and deter wildlife from runways and aircraft operating areas.