Robird RPAS (Robird Remotely Piloted Air System), artificial bird, RoBird, Enschede, Netherlands

Weeze Airport in Germany allows us to fly the Robirds at the airport to test, train and perfect our procedures and technology. This includes technology like geofence and return home, and procedures like communications between tower and pilot team.

During flying, commercial aviation continues like normal and we do not interfere with manned aviation. On this particular day, several planes took off and landed, a trauma helicopter crossed the airport, and several smaller aircraft took off and made touch-and-go's. We used unpainted Robirds since we are focusing on testing of our procedures.

It shows the Robirds can be integrated into airport operations without a problem. With the right training, the right technology, and the right procedures manned and unmanned aviation can coexist. In particular, our Robirds can help in creating a safer airport by keeping birds away.

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Remote-controlled robotic birds of prey, by Dutch company Clear Flight Solutions, keep their living counterparts away from areas where birds can be a hazard: like airports and agricultural fields. With a realistic appearance and flight-friendly weight, these Robirds serve as modern-day scarecrows — and they’re 3D-printed at Materialise.

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