Japanese Tech Giant Deploys Laser Drones to Shield Poultry Farms from Bird Flu

103

• A Japanese technology company has introduced laser-equipped drones to deter wild birds from entering poultry farms, reducing the risk of bird flu transmission.
• The drones use automated detection and precision laser beams to scare away potential carriers without causing harm to wildlife.
• This innovation enhances biosecurity measures, offering farmers a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional fencing and netting.
• Researchers believe the technology could revolutionise disease prevention in the poultry sector, helping to safeguard food supplies and protect farm livelihoods.

Japanese telecommunications and technology group NTT has unveiled a drone system that uses laser light to deter wild birds from poultry farms, in a bid to curb the spread of avian influenza.

The system was developed by NTT e-Drone Technology Co., Ltd in partnership with NTT East Japan and the Chiba Prefectural Government. It aims to reduce the risk of infection from wild birds such as crows and pigeons, which can transmit avian flu directly or through droppings. Outbreaks of the disease often force mass culls of poultry, causing severe losses for farmers.

NTT highlighted the urgency of the project by noting that more than 3.3 million birds were culled in Chiba Prefecture between January and February 2025 after a major outbreak.

Some strains, including H5N1, also pose risks to human health, particularly for farmers in close contact with poultry.

The company’s BB102 drones are fitted with a laser system that projects multiple red and green beams.

(Read Also: Class 12 Student Develops Smart Irrigation App Helping Farmers Save Water, Diesel and Crops)

These colours were chosen for their effectiveness in deterring species such as pigeons, crows and starlings, as well as other animals including deer. The beams are intermittent, flickering on and off to prevent birds from adapting and settling in between the rays.

Unlike traditional deterrents such as noise, chemicals or manual bird-chasing, the automated drones offer farmers a more efficient and less disruptive solution.

Local government subsidies are expected to support the adoption of the technology across the region.

NTT says the innovation could help protect food supplies by preventing outbreaks before they spread, offering a vital safeguard in the face of a disease that continues to devastate poultry industries worldwide.