The big metal robot looked like a dog. It moved like a dog. Five-year-old Sabine then decided she would pet it like a dog.
It was not, however, warm and furry like a dog. It was really a robot named Aurora, an ongoing experiment at Fairbanks International Airport created to determine whether it can safely keep wildlife off the airfields and runways. The 72-pound robot is about the size of a Labrador retriever and cost about $75,000 to create. It is human operated but also features autonomous capabilities.
Aurora was an eye-catcher, for sure, drawing a crowd whether walking, sitting, rolling over or quietly laying down on the floor.
The robot was at one of many booths at Purple Up Day at Pioneer Park’s Centennial Center. The special day is held every year to celebrate and show support for military children. It is part of the broader Month of the Military Child celebrations, which encourages all Alaskans to wear purple, the color symbolizing all branches of the military, and to recognize the resilience and courage of military children.
Kids had a chance to learn how to use a fire extinguisher safely, they were able to ride bicycles through an obstacle course and even climb into a cold weather all-terrain vehicle used by the military.
A flash mob of Fairbanks Dinosaurs visited, dressed in blow-up dinosaur costumes of all sizes and vendors offered all kinds of fun activities for young visitors.
For safety reasons, stairwells were closed off for this event, after screws were found missing from one step. The step was repaired and a borough official will soon provide a safety inspection so the stairs can be used again for future events.
Reach columnist/community editor Kris Capps at kcapps@newsminer.com.
