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Scientists created a penguin-shaped robot to study penguins more safely and respectfully.

Researchers travel to Antarctica to collect data using new scientific equipment.

Penguins often react strongly when humans enter their natural habitat.

Robots are commonly used for missions on the moon, Mars, and other hard-to-reach places.

Humans have used robots to explore places such as the moon and Mars.

The robot’s fluffy penguin-chick design lets it move through colonies without stressing the birds.

Scientists from the University of Strasbourg worked on the project.

Antarctica is difficult for humans to reach.

Humans have spent years building robots to visit places that are hard for people to reach, such as the moon and Mars, and now they have created a new robot designed specifically to explore penguin colonies on Earth.

Scientists have decided not to send humans into outer space anymore and instead plan to rely on different animals to complete dangerous missions that people used to handle themselves.

People have always been able to travel to and study penguin habitats without facing any major challenges, so robots are not really needed for this type of exploration.

Engineers have recently built robots that can move through penguin colonies to collect temperature and climate information, helping researchers learn more about the Antarctic environment.

Animals often get stressed when researchers try to get close to them in the field.

Their heart rates rise and they react with alarm when approached by humans.

Approaching wild animals can cause stress, escape behavior, and potential breeding failure that weakens the data collected.

Researchers usually need to stand within about two feet of a penguin to gather information.

Stress responses can lead to escape behavior and potential breeding failure.

Human researchers often have to stand within two feet of a penguin to collect necessary information.

Devices used to collect data can only send signals over short distances.

Animals often change their behavior when humans stand too close during observation.

Penguins can shuffle away while keeping their egg or chick balanced on their feet.

Human approaches caused a heart-rate spike about four times larger than robot approaches.

Penguins moved farther when approached by humans than when approached by the rover.

Scientists have been comparing how penguins react to humans and robots on Possession Island.

Humans cause penguins to experience far greater stress and movement, leading to colony-wide conflict.

Penguins react with equal stress to humans and robots, but humans stay longer.

Robots create more confusion in the colony because they move silently.

Penguins prefer humans because they move more slowly and predictably.