Scientists have long searched for a way to study penguins up close without disturbing them. To that end, one group of researchers created a remote controlled robot that carries a camera and is disguised as a penguin chick, the Daily Mail reports.
Biologists are using the penguin rover to approach the group and learn more about their feeding habits, health, and interactions.
And it is so convincing, penguins in the group were spotted talking to it, as if it was a potential mate for their chicks.
The robo-penguin is an important innovation for scientists given how harmful direct contact with humans can be for the wildlife.
When researchers approach, these penguins typically back away and the stress of the encounter causes their heart rates to increase.
To monitor the birds' health, without causing them unnecessary stress, a group of scientists and filmmakers, led by Yvon Le Maho from the University of Strasbourg in France, created the remote-controlled rover, disguised as a chick.
The device proved to be quite popular with the penguins.
The rover is covered in grey fur, has black arms and a black-and-white painted face, plus a black beak.
It is fitted with cameras and sensors that connect to the researchers' computers.
The penguins didn't scamper away and even sang to it with 'a very special song like a trumpet,' Professor Le Maho said.
Professor Le Maho suggested that the adult penguins were trying to find a mate for their chicks and they were listening for a response, but researchers didn't program the rover to make a sound.
'They were very disappointed when there was no answer,' he said.
'Next time we will have a rover playing songs.'