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stephen ausmus

Tech-savvy shepherd uses a drone to herd his sheep

It's not as cute as a dog, but it's just as efficient.

 

Gavia Baker-Whitelaw

Internet Culture

Posted on Mar 30, 2015   Updated on May 29, 2021, 5:05 am CDT

We’ve mostly come to terms with the futuristic reality of drones taking over human jobs like mail delivery, but we never could have predicted a drone stealing a job from a dog.

Irish sheep farmer Paul Brennan has figured out a unique use for his drone: herding sheep. The drone, nicknamed Shep, uses the same techniques as a sheepdog, corralling the herd of sheep in whatever direction the farmer wants. Because it’s controlled remotely, it doesn’t require any training.

Shep can’t possibly be as cute as a real sheepdog, though. Useful or not, drones are no replacement for man’s best friend.

Photo via Stephen Ausmus/Wikimedia Commons (PD)

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*First Published: Mar 30, 2015, 7:41 am CDT