- Japan has seen an increase in deadly bear attacks as well as tens of thousands of sightings across the country.
- Monster Wolf uses flashing lights and terrifying sounds to scare away aggressive wildlife
- Demand increased after bears broke into homes, schools, supermarkets and tourist centers across the country.
Japan is experiencing a record increase in bear attacks, with 13 human deaths reported in 2025 and more than 50,000 sightings reported nationwide.
Ohta Seiki, a robotics company based in Hokkaido, makes a terrifying animatronic wolf called Monster Wolf, specially designed to fend off these dangerous animals.
The company has already received around fifty orders this year, more than its usual annual production volume for this product.
Ohta overwhelmed by an unexpected request
“We can’t make them fast enough,” said company president Yuji Ohta. AFPnoting that customers now have to wait two to three months for delivery.
The robot wolf features faux fur draped over a pipe frame, topped with a menacing open-mouthed face and glowing red LED eyes.
It plays more than 50 types of recorded sounds, including human voices, electronic noises and growls audible up to a mile away.
The device turns its head from side to side while its tail emits blue LED lighting, creating a truly unsettling presence in the dark.
An infrared sensor detects wildlife and triggers the system to activate its full range of noises and movements.
The robot is powered by a combination of a 12-volt car battery and an optional solar charging panel for extended remote operation.
Why demand has skyrocketed
Bears have entered homes, wandered near schools, rampaged through supermarkets and frightened patrons at spas across Japan.
The number of bears captured and shot nearly tripled from the previous year, reaching a record high of 14,601.
Some northern areas reported more than four times as many bear sightings as they emerged from hibernation last year.
Ohta launched the Monster Wolf in 2016 to prevent crop damage from deer, wild boars and bears, but it was initially derided as a gimmick by many observers.
The company is currently improving the device by putting it on wheels so that it can hunt animals or patrol specific paths autonomously.
The wolf monster sounds like something out of a horror movie, but Japanese communities facing real bear attacks no longer laugh at the idea.
They’re buying every unit Ohta Seiki can make, and the company simply can’t keep up with the demand.
Ohta also plans to develop a wearable version for hikers, fishermen and schoolchildren while exploring artificial intelligence cameras for future models.
The robot costs around $4,000 or more, depending on configuration, with wheels and solar panels offered as options.
Farmers, golf course operators and construction workers working in rural areas account for the majority of current orders.
Whether the robot will remain effective once the bears get used to its noises and flashing lights remains an open question, but for now, it’s winning the fight.
Via Toms Hardware
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds.
