The intelligent bird-disperal robot is on duty at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/Hangzhou International Airport]

Hangzhou International Airport has a new "employee" — China's first track-based intelligent bird-dispersal robot — now operating around the clock after completing verification on Nov 25.

The robot marks a major step forward in preventing bird strikes and adds a new tech-driven safeguard for flight safety.

Designed to withstand rain, heat and extreme temperatures from -20 C to 45 C, the robot can navigate grass, mud and shallow water with ease. Equipped with directional sound devices, insect-killing lamps and high-definition cameras, it integrates pest control, bird dispersal and real-time monitoring into one platform.

According to the airport's bird-control team, the robot can simulate more than 20 sounds to scare away birds and reduce food sources by eliminating insects. Unlike human patrols — typically four staff per runway with varying efficiency — the robot can patrol continuously for 24 hours. A two-hour charge allows it to cover roughly six kilometers, equivalent to a full runway area.

During its initial trial run from Oct 1, the robot demonstrated stable performance and helped reduce bird activity in targeted zones by 30 percent. It also collects and transmits live video and bird-activity data, supporting more precise decision-making and long-term trend analysis.

The airport plans to further upgrade its smart bird-control system, using AI to anticipate bird behavior and improve ecological management — moving toward a more eco-friendly, intelligent airport model.

A detailed look of the robot. [Photo/Hangzhou International Airport]