XINING -- As the afternoon sets in, the sun begins to warm the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, making it the peak time for Tibetan antelopes to search for food. After a night without eating, these creatures dot the hillsides near Zonag Lake in the Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve.
A slightly larger animal stands out on the grass. Unlike the others, which have lowered their heads to graze, this "antelope" holds its head high, moving carefully toward the herd.
It is a robotic antelope, which, from a distance, looks just like the real antelopes nearby, sharing the same fur color and body shape. But up close, a small, hidden camera can be seen beneath its eyes.
At first, the real antelopes seem curious about the newcomer, pausing to look at the mechanical stranger. However, the robot does not scare them away. Gradually, the unique robotic antelope is accepted into the herd to roam alongside thousands of animals in the wilderness.
The robot undertook trial operations in late July in Hoh Xil, which has an average altitude of more than 4,600 meters. The environment is cold and oxygen-poor, making it almost impossible to sustain human life there. At the same time, it is also widely recognized as a "kingdom of animals" due to its rich and diverse wildlife.
Its rare species, including Tibetan antelopes, serve as important ecological indicators of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Every summer, thousands of female Tibetan antelopes gather at Zonag Lake to give birth and care for their young.
Scientists say that the robotic Tibetan antelope has overcome the established limitations on the distance from which humans can observe wildlife. It will provide more accurate, reliable images and data for the study of Tibetan antelope behavior in China.
Lian Xinming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology who participated in the recent trial, said that Tibetan antelopes are very sensitive, and that it is difficult for people to get close to them.
"They will run away as soon as they see someone from a distance — even 500 to 800 meters away," Lian told Xinhua on Monday. "A close encounter can induce stress, and can even cause miscarriage in pregnant females."
Previously, scientists relied on telescopes, cameras or other indirect methods like studying feces or carcasses to monitor the antelopes. Drones, though useful, can also startle the animals. Lian said that robots could be a promising solution to study animals more closely without causing disruption.
The idea to create a robotic Tibetan antelope was first proposed in February this year. A group of humanoid robots performing a dance on the televised "Spring Festival Gala" inspired the zoologists to incorporate robot technology into their research. As a result, Lian's team partnered with DEEP Robotics, a Hangzhou-based company known for its innovation in robotics, to develop the project.
According to Qian Xiaoyu, a senior brand marketing manager at DEEP Robotics, the robotic antelope is powered by the X30 quadruped robotic dog. "This technology is designed to perform in hazardous, complex environments, including extremely harsh terrains," Qian said. "The robot aims to assist or even replace humans in patrol and rescue tasks."
To make the robot appear as lifelike as possible, the team collaborated with specialists in fur simulation and animal specimen creation. Based on the antelope's skeletal structure and real fur samples provided by scientists, they dressed the robot to resemble its living counterparts closely.
During its trial, the robotic antelope successfully navigated a distance of 2 kilometers across open areas in the nature reserve, overcoming various obstacles such as slopes, potholes and muddy wetlands. It integrated into a herd, carrying out close-range observation and non-intrusive filming tasks.
Lian said that he had hoped the robot would capture dramatic moments such as antelopes giving birth. However, during the three-day experiment, the footage recorded by the robot was quite simple — it only showed the antelopes grazing peacefully.
But the scientist has not lost heart. "Even when the exploration does not yield the expected results, it provides invaluable experience," Lian said.
He believes that robotics technology holds immense promise for future wildlife studies and conservation efforts, offering a glimpse into how innovation can support the protection of endangered species in remote and challenging environments.
"The ultimate goal is to ensure the safe migration of Tibetan antelopes, with minimal human interference," he said.
