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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

A Caltech professor has created an algorithm for drones to herd birds away from airports

Schematic shows distance of drone from birds.
Schematic shows distance of drone from birds.
(
Courtesy of Caltech
)

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Listen 0:53
A Caltech professor has created an algorithm for drones to herd birds away from airports

In just the last four years, birds have hit aircraft at LAX more than 500 times. One bird caused $1.5 million dollars in damage when it hit a 747 two years ago.
 
For now, LAX deals birds the old fashioned-way with traps and car horns, but scientists are working on a more high-tech solution.

Caltech professor Soon-Jo Chung has written an algorithm that directs a drone to herd birds away from airports.

Read more on LAist.com: A Caltech Scientist Is Training Drones To Herd Birds Away From Airplanes. 

This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal.

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