Electrodes in the pigeon's brain can be used to control the bird's flight
Chinese boffins develop remote control pigeons
/v3-uk/news/1963912/chinese-boffins-develop-remote-control-pigeons
27 Feb 2007, Iain Thomson , V3
Scientists in China have found a way to control pigeons remotely by implanting minute electrodes in their brains.
Researchers at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Center at China's Shandong University of Science and Technology have developed a computer system which allows them to tell the birds to fly left, right, up or down.
Chief scientist Su Xuecheng told Chinese state media that the experiments mark the first successful attempt to control a pigeon's flight. Similar experiments on mice had been carried out by the team two years ago.
The technique has a variety of practical uses, such as helping amputees to use mechanical limbs and controlling animals fitted with cameras to search large areas or disaster zones.
Experiments at Arizona State University earlier this year, funded by the US Neural Prosthesis Program, used a monkey to control a robotic arm.
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Do you agree?
What next in the name of science?
like most scientists, these guys have no morals about eating, slaughtering or operating on defenceless creatures - I just wish some aliens would land on this Earth (preferably in their back yard) and start inserting electrical probes into their brains in the name of material, mechanistic science. We would then have walking, talking, robot scientists - now that would be interesting!
Posted by jonathan, 01 Mar 2007
WTF
What is wrong with these crazy animal lovers? It is a damn pigeon people eat these things not to mention animal studies create new ways to help us survive and save human lives.
This also goes to help people without limbs. The more we learn about the brain the better we will become at creating new limbs with feeling and control.
This isn't your pet Rex. It is a pigeon. Get a grip on yourself.
Posted by Goddard, 23 Apr 2010