Russia has created bio-drones from pigeons: how the control technology works.

According to ТСН: The Russian company Neiry has announced the creation of an innovative 'bio-drone' technology that allows for the remote control of pigeon flights. The developers claim that special neurointerfaces are implanted in the birds, turning them into living drones for monitoring infrastructure and conducting reconnaissance operations.

The project, known as the bio-drone pigeon 'PJN-1', is externally distinguished from ordinary birds only by a neurointerface wire protruding from its head and a miniature electronic backpack on its back.

Technology and Control

The developers have learned to implant electrodes into the birds' brains. These electrodes connect to a stimulator and a controller powered by solar panels located in the backpack. The implantation of electrodes is done serially using stereotactic equipment, which allows for precise placement in the needed areas of the brain, avoiding expensive diagnostic procedures.

The operator can direct the bird by uploading a flight task. Thanks to neurostimulation, the animal becomes controllable immediately after the operation, which is a significant advantage compared to traditional training.

Advantages of Bio-drones

The Neiry company offers its 'bio-drones' as the ideal solution for long-term monitoring. The main advantages over conventional UAVs are:

1. Duration and range of flight. The birds live a normal life, and the electronics are powered by solar panels, allowing them to exceed the autonomy of regular drones by hundreds of times.

2. Safety. The likelihood of accidents is comparable to the falling of an ordinary bird, making them safe for use in urban environments.

3. Cost. The price of a 'bio-drone' is similar to the cost of ordinary drones.

The technology is designed for monitoring remote objects, such as gas distribution nodes and electricity networks, as well as for search and rescue and environmental operations. The company stated that their project, unlike other similar initiatives in the world, has already reached the stage of industrial implementation.

It has also become known that Russian troops have started equipping strike kamikaze drones with new radio modems of various frequency ranges, forming a full-fledged communication network in the air.

The implementation of 'bio-drone' technology can significantly change the approaches to monitoring important infrastructure objects, as well as the use of drones in military operations. Thus, this project demonstrates an innovative approach and trends in the development of remote control technologies in the modern world.