Robots are being used in Japan to deter bears from entering populated areas.
Japanese authorities have begun employing artificial intelligence, robots, and drones to protect people from an increasing number of bear attacks, The Washington Post reported on October 16.
AI is being used to create maps that predict where the animals might appear. Robots patrol the outskirts of towns and villages, while drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras locate the animals—or, in some cases, spray them with pepper spray. A bear-recognition system using surveillance cameras is currently in operation across 29 municipalities, and four-legged robots are being tested to navigate difficult terrain and scare off the predators.
However, experts warn that technology will not provide a complete solution; bears can become accustomed to these deterrents, meaning their use must be managed with an awareness of these limitations.
Earlier, on October 6, it was reported that between April and early September, six people had been killed and nearly 30 injured in bear attacks across Japan.
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