Let’s Fight Back Against Poachers with a Robotic Rhino

Since 2010, poachers in South Africa have killed more than 5,000 rhinos. In Asia, two rhino species—Javan and Sumatran—are critically endangered. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, poachers eager to reap their horns use helicopters and veterinary drugs to track and attack the animals. To save these animals’ lives, I propose the Ramakera: a robotic rhinoceros designed to monitor and protect the herd from poachers. I recently met with Canadian photographer and filmmaker Gregory Colbert, who gave me the idea of creating a biomimetic robot capable of protecting animals in the wild. The Ramakera would run on a long-lasting hydrogen fuel cell, and use hydraulics and servomotors to move its limbs. It would carry an internal navigation unit to return to base when necessary for upgrades and repairs. Infrared cameras and other sensors would let it keep up with its real life herd mates—and track and record human activity. Now, I am far from being an expert on animal behavior and habitat, so bear with me here. The Ramakera’s body would be covered with artificial skin and scent to increase its chance of getting accepted as an unusual friend of the herd. Perhaps internal microprocessors could let the robo-rhino mimic other animals to blend in. Even if the other rhinos don’t register it as one of them, it would likely be less disturbing than noisy helicopters and drones. Thanks to Kaan Yaylali, a freelance industrial designer at Astronaut Ape, who designed the Ramakera. He also created the Rokko monkey and the Sebrid transit system concepts for Imaginactive. Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.