SOCORRO, N.M. (KRQE) – Researchers at New Mexico Tech (NMT) are giving deceased birds new life using technology to study wildlife.
“I had this idea for about more than a decade [ago] to basically convert the taxidermy birds into the flapping wing drones,” said Associate Professor Mustafa Hassanalian.
Almost a year ago, the drones first took flight . Now, these taxidermy birds are taking their adventures to the water to study ducks and geese behavior without disturbing nature.
Hassanalian explained locomotive techniques can be learned by observing animals in the water, in the air, and wherever else it applies. They can use these mechanisms for robotic systems.
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Headed by Hassanalian, students at NMT are heading the research using taxidermized ducks developed drones that can swim.
“We have used a couple of the materials that can be used. The type of the servo motors that they are being used here in the legs, they are waterproof.”