Animal robot spy: Bionic antelope infiltrates herds on the Tibetan Plateau

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.