Chinese scientists say they have succeeded in an experiment to
remotely control the flight of a pigeon using electronic
technology.
Scientists with the Robot Engineering Technology Research Center
of Shandong University of Science and Technology say they implanted
micro electrodes in the brain of a pigeon so they can command it to
fly right, left, up, or down.
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.
It's the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the
world, said the chief scientist Su Xuecheng. The electronic signals
resemble the signals generated by the brain that control body
movement, he explained.
Su and his colleagues are improving the devices used in the
experiment and hope that the technology can be put into practical
use in future.
Su conducted a similar successful experiment on mice in
2005.
(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2007)
