Robo-Wolves vs. Bears: Unusual Farmer Protectors Are Gaining Popularity in Japan (3 photos)

Demand for robotic wolves used to repel bears is growing in Japan following a spate of attacks by wild animals on people. Farmers and residents of suburban areas, where bear encounters have become noticeably more frequent, are especially eager to purchase the animatronic predators. The mechanical "wolves" can move their heads and limbs and produce dozens of sounds, from growls and howls to human voices and sirens. Developers continue to upgrade the devices: future versions of the robots plan to add autonomous patrol capabilities. This unusual technology has already sparked a heated reaction on social media, with users admitting that encountering such a glowing "predator" at night would be no less terrifying than encountering a real animal.