While Elon Musk's Neuralink captures headlines with its plans to connect human brains to computers, a Russian company is pioneering a different, and some would say more unsettling, branch of neurotechnology: turning living birds into guided "biodrones."
MOSCOW – In a development that seems ripped from the pages of a cyberpunk novel, a Russian company named Neiry has officially announced the successful flight tests of remote-controlled pigeons. This isn't a tale of old-school homing pigeons; this is about directly hijacking a bird's nervous system to create a living, breathing drone.
The project, which has been in covert development for years, moves beyond the realm of science fiction and into a new, ethically complex reality. Neiry's system bypasses traditional animal training entirely, opting for a direct hardware-to-brain interface that allows operators to steer the birds with the push of a button.
How Does a "Biodrone" Work? It's All in the Brain Implants
The process is as intricate as it sounds. According to Neiry, skilled surgeons use a stereotactic apparatus—a precise frame for locating points within the brain—to delicately implant micro-electrodes into specific regions of the pigeon's brain responsible for movement and navigation.
These electrodes are connected to a remarkably small, solar-powered stimulation unit that sits on the bird's back like a miniature backpack. To command the bird to turn left, for instance, the system doesn't send a radio signal to a rudder or a flap. Instead, it sends a carefully calibrated electrical impulse to the bird's brain.
This impulse effectively tricks the brain, making the bird believe it wants to fly in that direction. It feels like the bird's own decision. The system's navigation is managed by an onboard GPS module, ensuring the "biodrone" can be directed to precise coordinates from a remote operations center.
The scope and ambition of this project are coming into clearer focus. As a recent report from Metro.co.uk highlighted, "Putin's scientists [are] creating spy pigeons controlled by brain implants," detailing how these cyborg birds are being developed for potential surveillance and data-gathering operations. This independent coverage underscores the global security and ethical implications now being raised by Neiry's revelations.
Pigeon vs. Drone: The Surprising Advantages of a Biological Machine
Why go through all this trouble when we have advanced mechanical drones? Neiry claims the biological approach offers staggering advantages over its battery-powered rivals.
The company states that their PJN-1 pigeon model can cover an astonishing 310 miles (almost 500 kilometers) in a single day. This range and endurance, powered by the bird's own metabolism and the system's solar charging, are hundreds of times greater than what most commercial electric drones can achieve. Furthermore, a pigeon is naturally camouflaged, produces no engine noise, and can recharge itself by simply eating—a logistical dream for long-term missions.
"The biodrone is the ultimate fusion of nature and technology," a Neiry representative stated in their announcement. "It leverages millions of years of evolution to create a surveillance and delivery platform that is efficient, resilient, and incredibly difficult to detect."
The Future Flock: Ravens, Albatrosses, and a Focus on Privacy
Neiry is not stopping with pigeons. Developers are currently testing the flight characteristics and plan to adapt the technology to larger, more powerful birds like ravens and even albatrosses. The goal is to increase payload capacity, allowing the biodrones to carry heavier camera equipment or other sensors.
The intended applications are wide-ranging. The company lists monitoring vast stretches of power lines and pipelines, conducting environmental surveys in sensitive ecosystems, and aiding in search-and-rescue missions as primary uses. In a nod to privacy concerns, Neiry assures that any onboard cameras used for these purposes will utilize AI to automatically blur human faces and license plates to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.
However, the technology inevitably raises profound ethical questions about animal welfare and the boundaries of human intervention in nature. As this fledgling industry takes flight, the world is watching, forced to grapple with a future where the pigeon cooing on your windowsill might just be more than a bird.