Japan Runs Out of Robot Wolves In Fight Against Bears (popsci.com) 19
Japan's worsening bear problem has created a shortage of handmade "Monster Wolf" robots, which are $4,000 solar-powered scarecrow-like devices with glowing eyes, sensors, and blaring sounds designed to frighten the animals away. "We make them by hand. We cannot make them fast enough now. We are asking our customers to wait two to three months," company president Yuji Ohta recently told the AFP. Popular Science reports: First released in 2016 by the manufacturer Ohta, Monster Wolf was originally designed to ward off the agricultural foes like boars, deer, and the island nation's Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations. The creative solution quickly went viral for its red LED eyes and menacing fangs -- as well as its admittedly odd, furry pipe frame.
Starting at around $4,000, each bespoke Monster Wolf is now equipped with battery power, solar panels, and detection sensors. Its speakers are programmed with over 50 audio clips including human voices and sirens audible over half a mile away. These aren't assembly line products, however. Each Monster Wolf is custom made, and Ohta simply can't keep up with the current demand.
[...] Ohta told the AFP that amid the ongoing crisis, there has been "growing recognition" that Monster Wolf is "effective in dealing with bears." The main customer base remains farmers, but orders are also coming from golf courses and rural workers. Upgraded versions will soon include wheels to actually chase animals and patrol preset routes. There are also plans to release a handheld version for outdoor enthusiasts and schoolchildren. Until Ohta catches up with its orders, residents and visitors are encouraged to review the Japanese government's own bear safety tips.
Starting at around $4,000, each bespoke Monster Wolf is now equipped with battery power, solar panels, and detection sensors. Its speakers are programmed with over 50 audio clips including human voices and sirens audible over half a mile away. These aren't assembly line products, however. Each Monster Wolf is custom made, and Ohta simply can't keep up with the current demand.
[...] Ohta told the AFP that amid the ongoing crisis, there has been "growing recognition" that Monster Wolf is "effective in dealing with bears." The main customer base remains farmers, but orders are also coming from golf courses and rural workers. Upgraded versions will soon include wheels to actually chase animals and patrol preset routes. There are also plans to release a handheld version for outdoor enthusiasts and schoolchildren. Until Ohta catches up with its orders, residents and visitors are encouraged to review the Japanese government's own bear safety tips.
Re: Hercules and the Hydra (Score:2)
Um. Did you mean to post that to your diary? This is actually Slashdot you're at right now.
Japan Runs Out of Robot Wolves... (Score:4, Insightful)
Then the first sentence confirmed the BS headline...
there is a shortage.... nothing has run out.
They are still manufacturing said wolf.
Re: Japan Runs Out of Robot Wolves... (Score:2)
Robot Wolves? (Score:3)
Re: Robot Wolves? (Score:2)
Bears in East Asia (Score:2)
Here in the US the Bears got outnumbered by the Bulls.
Of course in East Asia they are more worried about the lack of hudrocarbons due to the Strait of Hormuz being closed.
here in America... (Score:5, Funny)
In America... we just use a gun. No more bear. Also, you get a free rug. It's what we call a win-win.
Generally though, don't shoot black bears, they're almost never a problem, and they're kind of cool. Just back away if they're aggressive, you're near their cubs. If the bear is Chinese, please capture it humanely, and return Xi Jinping to the Beijing Zoo. I think there is a reward.
If the bear is brown, or worse white, move the selector from BANG to BANG BANG BANG and mag dump it. Brown bears are incredibly aggressive. Polar bears are endangered, but if you see one it's because it's hunting you. It is not going to stop hunting you. Ever. Fly home? Polar bear. Flee to the tropics? Polar bear. Launch on Starship to Elon's secret moon base? Polar bear. They have a certain set of skills, they will find you, and they will kill you.
Re: (Score:1)
what about drop bears?
Re: (Score:2)
> move the selector from BANG to BANG BANG BANG
Burst mode? Bah. I'd be happier with a... controlled bear.
Check Alibaba (Score:2)
Of course it'll be a little rough around the edges, and the solar panel won't work, and instead of growls it makes Bart Simpson jokes, but I'm sure it'll be fine.
Bears aren't stupid (Score:4, Insightful)
I guess ... (Score:3)
Rifles (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
"Why can't you just shoot these wolves with rifles?"
Because you either need a lot of shifts of hunters waiting around doing nothing or you let the bears get close enough to eat you livestock or kids.
Wolf automata are just as attentive at the end of a week/month/year as at the beginning, and won't accidentally kill a person. Or a bear, for that matter.
Re: (Score:2)
Why can't you just shoot these wolves with rifles?
Why would you shoot the thing that you make to deal with the problem rather than the address the problem itself which isn't the wolves. I personally find it hilarious that someone asks "What's wrong with the people in Japan" while demonstrating that they were unable to read the words in the headline.
But your silly mistake aside, where would Japan get the guns from? How many bear deaths are there, and how does gun violence and gun deaths in the USA related to that of Japan?
When asking what is wrong with some
Bear Patrol (Score:2)
Simpsons already solved this problem with the Bear Patrol. Of course, there's always the bear patrol tax, but the bears should pay that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]