Key Takeaways
1. Neiry has developed “biodrones” that transform pigeons into controllable flying units using electronics and neural implants.
2. The control system uses electrodes placed in the bird’s brain, allowing guidance through electrical pulses and GPS navigation.
3. The PJN-1 pigeons can fly up to 310 miles daily, offering greater range and endurance than traditional drones.
4. Future developments include adapting the technology for ravens and albatrosses to carry heavier loads.
5. Potential applications for these biodrones include monitoring power lines, environmental assessments, and supporting search-and-rescue operations.
While companies like Neuralink are putting in a lot of effort into creating brain-computer interfaces (BCI), a Russian firm called Neiry is venturing into an area that seems right out of a sci-fi movie — controlling pigeons from afar.
Remote-Controlled Birds
In a fresh announcement, Neiry shared that it has carried out successful flight tests of its so-called “biodrones” in Moscow. This technology transforms regular birds into controllable flying units by using tiny electronics attached to backpacks and neural implants.
Innovative Control System
This method eliminates the need for typical animal training. Instead, surgeons use a stereotactic setup to place electrodes in specific areas of the bird’s brain. These electrodes connect to a solar-powered stimulation device located on the bird’s back. To guide the bird, the system emits electrical pulses that affect the bird’s brain, making it think it wants to fly in the desired direction. The navigation is managed through GPS installed on the bird.
Neiry asserts that this technique provides a huge advantage compared to mechanical alternatives. The firm claims that the PJN-1 pigeons can travel 310 miles daily, offering range and endurance that far exceeds traditional electric drones.
Future Developments
Currently, the developers are examining flight features and are planning to modify the technology for use with ravens and albatrosses to carry heavier loads. The planned uses include monitoring power lines, performing environmental assessments, and supporting search-and-rescue operations, with onboard cameras equipped with AI to anonymize faces for privacy reasons.
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