SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) – Researchers at New Mexico Tech (NMT) are giving deceased birds new life using technology to study wildlife.
“I had this idea for about more than a decade [ago] to basically convert the taxidermy birds into the flapping wing drones,” said Associate Professor Mustafa Hassanalian.
Almost a year ago, the drones first took flight. Now, these taxidermy birds are taking their adventures to the water to study ducks and geese behavior without disturbing nature.
Hassanalian explained locomotive techniques can be learned by observing animals in the water, in the air, and wherever else it applies. They can use these mechanisms for robotic systems.
Headed by Hassanalian, students at NMT are heading the research using taxidermized ducks developed drones that can swim.
“We have used a couple of the materials that can be used. The type of the servo motors that they are being used here in the legs, they are waterproof.”
Students are also working on pigeons to place in trees, and no, these birds aren’t going to be used to spy on you.
“This prototype is basically stationary, can be placed in the trees, and invisible to the wildlife. I mean, it’s probably invisible, but look at the bird, and they basically, they can broadcast videos, pictures in real-time, and as you see it here, we can get the data that we need.”
Researchers said this is just another approach to better understand the world around us and allow students to develop the future.
“Our job at New Mexico Tech is to prepare the next generation of the students [so] that they basically can be prepared for this industry.”
NMT said their next project is amphibious drones that can take flight and swim.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
