The new Volkswagen logo features built-in directional speakers that emit a directional beam of sound to scare kangaroos away. Volkswagen assures us that this is not an April Fool’s joke.

RooBadge (“Roo” is short for kangaroo) was developed by Down Under. Volkswagen collaborated with kangaroo behavior experts from the University of Melbourne to learn more about the animals. Australian wildlife rescue organization Wires was also involved.

As well as the badge, VW Australia has also worked on a separate number plate holder that will include the RooBadge. The new technology is shown on the Amarok, but the license plate holder and nameplate will be universal. They are currently in the testing phase, but will be available for free in the future.

RooBadge will initially deter Eastern Gray Kangaroos but the following sounds will also deter Western Gray Kangaroos and Red Kangaroos. The possibility of using other animals to further reduce the risk of collision with wild animals is also being evaluated.

RooBadge, which has been in development for three years, will work with a special in-car application that will use GPS and telemetry data. The device will automatically make sounds at kangaroo gathering points. VW says it is already in talks with partners in Europe and the US to make the RooBadge a deterrent to other animals.