remote-controlled pigeon
This is really messed up.
A pigeon with micro-electrodes planted in its brain is seen at Shandong Science and Technology University in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province.
Bird-brained idea to control flight
March 1, 2007 - 3:07PM
Scientists in eastern China say they have succeeded in controlling the flight of pigeons with micro electrodes planted in their brains, state media has reported.
Scientists at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology said the electrodes could command them to fly right or left or up or down.
A pigeon wearing a microelectrode hat can accurately follow a series of instructions to take-off, spiral, fly around the lab and land in accordance with a computer's directions.
"The implants stimulate different areas of the pigeon's brain according to signals sent by the scientists via computer, and force the bird to comply with their commands," the centre's chief scientist, Su Xuecheng, said.
"It's the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world."
The report did not specify what practical uses the scientists saw for the remote-controlled pigeons.
A pigeon with micro-electrodes planted in its brain is seen at Shandong Science and Technology University in Qingdao, east China's Shandong province.
Bird-brained idea to control flight
March 1, 2007 - 3:07PM
Scientists in eastern China say they have succeeded in controlling the flight of pigeons with micro electrodes planted in their brains, state media has reported.
Scientists at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology said the electrodes could command them to fly right or left or up or down.
A pigeon wearing a microelectrode hat can accurately follow a series of instructions to take-off, spiral, fly around the lab and land in accordance with a computer's directions.
"The implants stimulate different areas of the pigeon's brain according to signals sent by the scientists via computer, and force the bird to comply with their commands," the centre's chief scientist, Su Xuecheng, said.
"It's the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world."
The report did not specify what practical uses the scientists saw for the remote-controlled pigeons.