In China, new robotic drones shaped and designed like real birds are being used to quietly watch people.
These drone birds have appeared in several provinces, with a strong focus on the Xinjiang region in the country’s far west. The government uses these drones mainly to keep an eye on Xinjiang, a region known for its large Muslim population and ongoing political tensions.
The drones move by flapping their wings, just like living birds, rather than using traditional drone parts like propellers or fixed wings. This design allows them to fly smoothly and quietly, making it difficult for people on the ground to spot them. The machines are so lifelike that real birds often share the sky with them without noticing anything unusual.
A group of engineers and scientists from a university in Xi’an is behind the development of these robotic doves. The project is led by a former expert who worked on China’s advanced military jets. The goal is to create drones that can fly undetected, avoiding both human eyes and radar systems. While the technology is still growing, it has already been used by several government and military groups, with plans for wider use in the future.
The drones have been seen mostly in Xinjiang, where the government keeps a close watch on the local population because of concerns about separatism and unrest. More than 30 agencies in China have used these robotic birds for surveillance in at least five provinces. Although the current use is limited, the creators expect the technology to expand quickly.
While these robotic birds could one day help in areas like disaster rescue or environmental monitoring, their main purpose right now is secret surveillance. Because they look and sound like real birds, they offer a new way for authorities to observe people without being noticed. This raises questions about privacy and the growing reach of technology in daily life.