Robot Zoo: Technology in the Wild

Animals and humans have always influenced each other. Now, technology adds a fresh twist. Thousands of years ago, when humans became farmers, a small red junglefowl discovered it was better off in the grain fields than in the wild. Generations later, we know it as the domesticated chicken—not a wild animal anymore, but a product of human progress. Animals adapt, but so do we. For centuries, we put them behind bars to study and admire them. But what if that’s no longer necessary? What if technology offers us a new alternative? Welcome to the robot zoo.

Take a look at our very own NEO, the robotic dog in our museum. NEO is a perfect example of how technology can transform the relationship between humans and animals. Once, dogs were wild creatures, but now they are loyal companions. And NEO, our mechanical version, is just as reliable—but without the worries of a living pet. It doesn’t need food, is always available, and best of all: it’s allergy-free.

In the future, robotic elephants will become more common in zoos. But with a bonus: you can climb them! Imagine a giant robotic elephant, 12 meters tall, 8 meters wide, and 21 meters long. If that sounds unreal, just take a look at this massive trunked creature in France. Weighing 48,000 kilograms of steel and wood, it can carry fifty passengers. This early version of the robotic elephant even has a lounge, a terrace, and sprays water from its trunk to cool down passersby on hot days.

Robotic animals don’t have to be big—the robotic bee proves that. These advanced little creatures were developed at Harvard University in the United States and are designed to take over a crucial task: pollinating plants. Imagine a lush terrarium where you can walk around while swarms of robotic bees carefully pollinate the flowers. With bees worldwide facing extinction, this technological innovation offers a promising solution for preserving our ecosystems.

Robots don’t just live on land—they inhabit the sea as well. Picture a giant aquarium filled with robotic jellyfish, in various colors and sizes. The first models can already be seen at Germany’s Festo. These AquaJellies 2.0 are testing new technologies that will make future robots smarter and more efficient. Who knows what other robotic animals will appear next?

In addition to robotic jellyfish, robotic sharks are also making waves. China has already tested the public’s reaction with a robotic whale shark in an aquarium. Visitors were shocked, but the lifelike creature also raised awareness about marine conservation. The project was part of China’s ban on the shark trade. Whale sharks typically live between 80 and 130 years, yet in captivity, they rarely survive beyond five years, according to the South China Morning Post.

The New Zoo Experience
This brings us to the next question: what should we do with real animals if they are no longer needed in zoos? Monique Könings, founder of Natuuropleiding, has the answer. With VR and projections, we turn the tables—not the animals in cages, but you. In The New Zoo Experience, you walk through virtual jungles, dive into the ocean, and become part of nature. A zoo where you experience animals up close without removing them from their habitat. “We now have insanely advanced technological possibilities to create the zoo of the future,” she explains.

The way we interact with animals is changing rapidly. From robotic dogs and pollinating drone bees to giant mechanical elephants—technology offers new ways to experience wildlife. Future generations may look back in amazement at the idea of animals in cages. One thing is certain: the zoo of the future will be smarter and more interactive than ever.

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