Robert with his real goshawk "Shinta".

Robert Jan Musters is the owner of the Roflight company since 2016. As a mechanical engineer and certified falconer (someone who hunts succesfull wild prey with live birds of prey), he has been developing robot birds over many years.

Two patents are in his name:

1: “Wing for generating lift from an incident flow” (patent number: 8973874)

This patent relates to the flapping wing model “the Robird” which , Robert Jan Musters, had already invented in 2008. The model was previously called “the Horck”.

2: “Robotic bird” (patent number: WO2021098951A1)

This invention by Robert jan Musters relates to a fixed wing robot bird “the Avibird” and, unlike the robird, this model has been specifically developed for bird control. The effectiveness has been scientifically researched and demonstrated. The Avibird is also often used for research into bird behavior.

From Falconer to Robotic Bird

My fascination with birds did begin in the field. As a falconer, I spent many years working closely with birds of prey. I observed how they fly, hunt, communicate, and interact with their environment. The more time I spent with these remarkable animals, the more questions arose. How does a bird control itself in flight? How does it use the wind? Why do other birds respond so strongly to the presence of a predator?

Out of that curiosity, an unusual idea was born: the development of an artificial bird of prey.

The goal was never to build an aircraft. The goal was to better understand birds. By attempting to imitate a bird, one is forced to look at nature from a different perspective. A robotic bird compels its designer to consider every aspect that appears effortless in a living bird: wing movement, balance, flight control, the reactions of other birds, and the interaction with the surrounding environment.

At the time this development began, the word "drone" was almost exclusively associated with military applications, such as unmanned reconnaissance and combat aircraft. The term played no role whatsoever in the conception of the robotic bird.

The inspiration came entirely from nature.

As the project evolved, it became clear that a robotic bird of prey could serve a purpose beyond research. Birds recognize a predator as a natural threat. Unlike most conventional bird deterrent systems, habituation is minimal. While birds often learn to ignore sounds, visual scare devices, lasers, and other deterrents over time, their response to a predator remains deeply rooted in instinct.

This opened the door to new possibilities. A robotic bird of prey could potentially be used in locations where large concentrations of birds create problems, such as agricultural areas, industrial sites, and airports.

Airports in particular face a significant challenge from bird activity. Bird strikes can cause substantial damage to aircraft and, in rare cases, create serious safety risks. A system capable of naturally discouraging birds from entering high-risk areas could therefore make a meaningful contribution to aviation safety.

Over the years, however, an interesting dilemma emerged. As the word "drone" acquired an increasingly broad meaning, many very different systems began to be grouped under the same label. A robotic bird of prey, developed through years of studying bird behaviour and inspired by the traditions of falconry, came to be viewed simply as another drone.

To me, that description does not fully capture what the technology represents.

The robotic bird was born from falconry, from close observation of nature, and from a desire to better understand how birds behave and interact with their environment. Its form, purpose, and operating principles differ fundamentally from many conventional unmanned aircraft systems.

For that reason, I believe the more important question is not:

"Is it a drone?"

The more meaningful question is:

"What does the system do, why was it developed, and how can it contribute to safety, wildlife management, and society?"

Because in the end, innovation is not about labels.

It is about solutions.

As a supplement, Robert Jan Musters is also the inventor of "the Robara" for the English company Wingbeat Ltd in 2015. The Robara is an artificial prey-bird in the shape of a Houbara. This bird is remote controlled and has been developed to train and conditioning birds of prey.