Robop - A discussion of the desgin of Robop and the key components of yout bird deterrent

Design

Robop is designed to look, move and sound like a real peregrine falcon. This presents a number of design challenges in itself. However, add to this the need to run for extended periods on a battery and the need to withstand all the extremes of weather you find in Britain on the top of a high building, you begin to realise just what team Robop were faced with.

The key elements of the design are - the body shell and wings, the drive mechanism, the electronic control system and the mounting bases.

Making the body moulding realistic, practical and convenient to manufacture has occupied a considerable sum of money and expertise. Currently we are working on the fourth generation moulds. Aircraft standard glassfibre is used for most of the body with other high tech composite materials and coatings used to add strength and flexibility where required. A combination of special paints is used to provide the correct colouring and texture as well as to provide a robust finish capable of long life in exposed situations. A special coupling between the feet and body allows the bird to sit at the correct angle and rock slightly in the wind to simulate the behaviour of a real falcon.

For information about the drive mechanism, electronics and Robops use of novel communications technology click on to the other technical topics.