Short Wave Once A Satirical Conspiracy, Bird Drones Could Soon Be A Reality
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Dec 21, 2023 
Anil Oza, a science and technology reporter for NPR, dives into the intriguing relationship between birds and drone technology. He discusses how satirical conspiracy theories about surveillance have sparked real scientific inquiry into bird flight mechanics. Engineers are now using biomimicry to design bird-like drones that mimic avian features for enhanced performance. Oza also addresses ethical concerns and the potential of these innovations to transform wildlife observation while promoting responsible technology use.
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Birds Aren't Real Movement
- The "Birds Aren't Real" movement satirically claims the government replaced birds with surveillance drones.
- This commentary on misinformation gained significant media attention, highlighting the absurdity of the claim.
Biomimicry in Drone Design
- Engineer Mustafa Hassanalian uses biomimicry to improve drone design by studying natural flight.
- He found artificial materials cannot replicate the efficiency of real bird wings, leading him to use taxidermied birds in his research.
Bird-like Drones for Wildlife Monitoring
- Mustafa Hassanalian uses taxidermied birds for drone research, aiming to improve wildlife monitoring.
- These bird-like drones could be less disruptive to animals than noisy traditional drones.