The robot antelope developed by Deep Robotics has been roaming the Tibetan highlands since late July. (Image source: Globaltimes)
A robot antelope equipped with AI has recently been deployed in the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve. Designed to blend seamlessly into real herds, it collects vital data to aid in the protection of the endangered Tibetan antelope.
The Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in the Tibetan highlands is one of the most unforgiving places on Earth, with thin air at elevations above 15,000 feet, harsh winters and vast, barren steppes. It is home to the Tibetan antelope, a species that once came close to extinction due to poaching for its prized undercoat. After years of dedicated conservation efforts, however, its population has risen from around 70,000 to approximately 300,000 animals.
In partnership with Deep Robotics, the Chinese government has launched a new initiative to help protect the Tibetan antelope. Since late July, a bionic robot antelope has been roaming the highlands. While its movements are still somewhat mechanical, its lifelike appearance – from coat color to body shape – enables it to blend into real herds and collect valuable data. A video of the AI-powered antelope is available on Reddit.
The robotic antelope can roam freely within a 1.2-mile radius of its control point, navigating steep slopes, rocky terrain and even wetlands. Its AI-powered image recognition system tracks migration routes, feeding behavior and the growth of young antelopes – all without disturbing the herd. The data it collects provides valuable insights that can help protect the endangered species.
The robots are designed not only to enhance protection of the Tibetan antelope but also to serve as an early warning system. When a herd approaches a road, nearby protection stations are alerted to help prevent accidents. The project is part of a broader technological network that includes mobile observation posts and aims to reduce conflicts between humans and wildlife.
As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart – in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I’m not sitting at my computer, I’m probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life – namely sitting for long periods – at the local swimming pool.