China unveils antelope robot to study endangered Tibetan species

China has introduced a lifelike robotic Tibetan antelope in the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve, located over 4,600 meters above sea level in Qinghai Province, to study the endangered species in its natural habitat. Developed collaboratively by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and DEEP Robotics, this bionic antelope is equipped with 5G ultra-low latency networks and advanced AI algorithms. Its realistic appearance allows it to blend into herds, enabling researchers to collect precise, real-time ecological data without disturbing the animals. This marks a significant advancement in wildlife research within one of the world’s most extreme environments. Designed to withstand Hoh Xil’s harsh conditions—characterized by high altitude, strong winds, and cold temperatures—the robot can navigate rugged terrain and operate up to 2 kilometers from its control point. It records videos to analyze herd size, migration patterns, and movement speed, which also aids in preventing road collisions by alerting protection stations to manage traffic.