Meet Aurora, the robotic helper, weighing in at 72 pounds and reaching speeds of about 3 mph. Safety is always a top priority, and Alaska presents its own unique challenges. With more airports than any other state and aviation playing a major role here, ensuring the safety of pilots and passengers has become paramount.
Since most airports are in very remote areas, wildlife can be a safety hazard for our aviation industry. It’s been found that birds are a large concern during a plane’s takeoff and landing. To help keep passengers safe and manage wildlife activity, the State of Alaska (SOA) is testing a Boston Dynamics robot “dog” named Aurora, at the Fairbanks International Airport.
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This agile robot is equipped with advanced sensors and mobility features that allow her to navigate the terrain of airport runways. Aurora’s current mission is to keep airport runways clear of wildlife, ensuring safer takeoffs and landings. Often airports hire personnel to periodically shoo animals off the runways to prevent plane collisions.
With Aurora’s assistance, the team can stay safe and focus on other tasks. Currently, Aurora is managed by a hardworking team from the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities which watches public safety operations at the Fairbanks International Airport and other facilities.
The seamless connectivity provided by GCI’s mobile network helps make Aurora’s mission possible. Aurora is equipped with a GCI Mobile SIM that ensures fast communication and data transfer to the control teams. This allows for quick decision-making and efficient management of runway safety.
With unmatched speeds, expanding coverage, and more to come — GCI is committed to creating the largest and most advanced network in Alaska with coverage in more remote places throughout the state than any other provider. Powering this project is just one way GCI is helping to keep Alaska moving forward.