Scientists Discover How To Remotely Control Flight Of Live Pigeon

[matcom]

<snip>

BEIJING (AP) -- Chinese scientists have succeeded in implanting electrodes in the brain of a pigeon to remotely control the bird's flight, state media said.

Xinhua News Agency said the scientists at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Center at Shandong University of Science and Technology in eastern China used the micro electrodes to command the bird to fly right or left, and up or down.

The implants stimulated different areas of the pigeon's brain according to electronic signals sent by the scientists via computer, mirroring natural signals generated by the brain, Xinhua quoted chief scientist Su Xuecheng as saying.

It was the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world, said Su, who conducted a similar successful experiment on mice in 2005.

http://www.wtlv.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=76893

[ohiosmith]

1. I need some of those. Can they be programmed to shit on command?

[ThomCat]

4. That is brilliant, but very, very mean.

:)

I think this entire technology is cruel though. It's inherently unethical.

[meegbear]

5. Now THAT would be an awesome weapon ...

an army of pigeons cluster shitting on your foes.

[ohiosmith]

6. :

:rofl:

[tk2kewl]

2. can the bird be made to poop on a desired target?

:shrug:

[Hugin]

3. No biggie...

Now, if it were Flying Dead Pigeons that'd be something.

[ohiosmith]

7. You could be on to something here. Dare I say it? ANS.

[Zavulon]

8. It was only a matter of time.

Carrier pigeons just weren't getting the job done. Government had to step in. :rofl:

[AllegroRondo]

9. Due to hit the shelves by Christmas!

every kid will want one!

[madrchsod]

10. oh there`s more.....

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/02/28/more_cyborg_attackcr.html
Boing Boing: More cyborg attack-critter technology revealed

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Why?

Poor birds... :(