A wolf-shaped robot designed to repel wild animals is gaining explosive popularity in Japan, where frequent bear intrusions into residential areas have led to human casualties. The “Monster Wolf” robot, developed by Ota Seiki, a mechanical parts manufacturer in Naie, Hokkaido, has seen orders triple this year compared to previous years, according to Japanese media reports on May 13.
The robot uses infrared sensors to detect approaching animals. Once triggered, it randomly emits up to 50 different types of loud noises, similar to construction site levels, and flashes powerful LED lights from its eyes to scare off bears.
Initially developed in 2016 to prevent crop damage caused by deer and other animals, the company has shipped over 380 units to date. However, as bears increasingly appear not only in rural homes but also near urban centers, demand has skyrocketed. Customers now face a two-to-three-month wait for installation.
“Previously, orders mainly came from farms, but recently, requests have been flooding in from construction sites and golf courses,” said Yuji Ota, the company’s president. “This shows just how much bears are encroaching on human living areas.”