Google has tried to test out their new Google Drone for deliveries. However, ravens have been striking back at the new technology. In Canberra, Australia the new program has been put on a temporary halt. The drones are coming under fire from the local murders of crows.
Wing is the company operating the program for Google’s parent umbrella company, Alphabet. With all the attacks on the drones, it appears some work is going to have to be done. Researchers are going to have to study the behavior of the local birds. Until a solution is thought of, the program is going to be on a halt.
Watch this video from a local resident, Ben Roberts.
This isn’t a new program in Canberra, either. Since 2019 these Wing drones have been operating and taking coffee, medicines, and other supplies to the residents. However, it now appears that the ravens have begun nesting in the area. Ravens, crows, blackbirds, whatever you call them, they are smart. Very smart. So, it isn’t weird that they have started to take offense to these drones.
While companies like Google and Amazon have programs and plans to have drone services like this, the conflict with nature will be there. Roberts said, “It’s a matter of time before they bring one down. They think it’s Terminator or something.” That would be quite the sight.
Ravens and Birds Attack Drones Regularly
While ravens have been spotted chasing these drones recently, this isn’t uncommon behavior. Other birds including hawks have attacked drones in the past. As the issues have continued in Canberra, Wing has had to come out and release a statement to their customers. They have had their services disrupted.
“We’ve identified some birds in the area demonstrating territorial behaviors and swooping at moving objects,” the statement said according to ABC News Australia.
“While this is common during nesting season, we are committed to being strong stewards of the environment, and would like to have ornithological experts investigate this further to ensure we continue to have minimal impact on birdlife in our service locations.”
The company also wanted to let customers know that these incidents are not that regular among the many thousands of deliveries they make.
“In the unlikely event that a bird makes direct contact with our drone, we have multiple levels of redundancy built into our operations to ensure we can continue to fly safely. Service will be temporarily paused for a small number of our customers in Harison during this time.”
With ravens attacking their drones, Wing has issues on its hands. It wouldn’t be smart to come out as anti-bird. These drones have already gotten some bad rep for possibly interfering with birds and their habits. With the drones now coming under attack from birds themselves, it is a bit on the nose.
