Robot pigeons??

[MaryOfExeter]

Saw this in this week's Racing Pigeon Newsletter. What the crap!?


Robo-pigeon: the pigeon that flies wherever you fancy
Daily Mail

' Nature equipped pigeons with the perfect on-board computer. But homing instinct is no match for technology.

Scientists have used microchips to force pigeons to ignore their inbuilt radars and fly straight up, straight down, left and right.

They claim to have created the world's first remote- control pigeons, saying they can control the birds' minds at the click of a button.

In tests likely to ruffle feathers among pigeon fanciers, scientists implanted microchip receivers into the pigeons' brains.

By sending electronic impulse signals from a computer on the ground, they were able to plot a course and force the pigeons to fly in a chosen direction.

This overrode the birds' natural instinct to fly in a circular route. "It's the first such successful experiment on a pigeon in the world," said chief scientist Professor Su Xuecheng, at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology in China.

"Via a computer, we forced the bird to comply with our commands," he said.

Professor Su and his colleagues claimed to have had similar results with mice in 2005, and had since been improving the devices used in the experiment. It has long been believed that homing pigeons lose their sense of direction during an electrical storm.

Professor Su and his team carefully studied the effects of the weather on pigeons to devise their computer implant.

"We hope the technology could be put into practical use in future," said Professor Su.

Exactly what practical use remains a mystery. Thought control, with its Orwellian overtones, is a sensitive issue, even if limited to pigeons and mice.

The fact that the birds have been developed in China, with its history of oppressing free thinkers, will not be lost on some in scientific circles. Scientific-achievement aside, remotecontrol pigeons would certainly take the fun and skill out of breeding top- class homing pigeons for Britain's thousands of fanciers.

They will be certain to cause a flap among members of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, which boasts the Queen as patron.

Professor's Su's findings were announced on the day China's state scientific and technological award for 2006 was presented in Beijing.

Chinese president Hu Jintao awarded scientist Li Zhensheng for his achievements in developing drought-resistant wheat.

Professor Su's remote control pigeons didn't get a mention.'

[Reti]

And what exactly is the purpose of this?
Wonder what's coming next.

Reti

[randymcone]

I wonder if we can do this with elected officials?

[birds+me=happy]

Now thats just wierd. I hope it's not true and that we never figure out how to control any living organism's mind.

[MaryOfExeter]

I know Nothing good can come of things like this!

[Tennman1]

That same reaction can be reproduced in politicians. They can be controlled by money and votes to do anything.

[george simon]

Originally Posted by Reti

And what exactly is the purpose of this?
Wonder what's coming next.

Reti

THOUGHT CONTROL of people ..........GEORGE

[Tamara21]

That's insane! Seriously...why is something like this needed...certianly there is no benefit to be had...it's just abuse to me.

[starlinglover95]

this is insane people! why, exactly do we need to control a pigeon? what if the pigeon runs straight into disaster? if it can't control where it flies than HOW in this world are they going to be able to avoid danger?!?! this is just madness!!!!

[KIPPY]

These people get paid for this. There was also an experiment with a glow in the dark cat. Can't remember what they injected the cat with.

Once they get the kinks out and get the monkey under control we are next.

[starlinglover95]

i know they get paid for it but why do they come up with such *clears throat* STUPID INVENTIONS?!?!? being able to control a pigeon for some may be cool, but for us pigeon LOVERS its just plain retarded!!!


controling mice however..... well just saying they are hard to catch.

[lindylou]

Sadly, like most governments, democratic or otherwise, there are a certain number of these type of scientists employed with the aim of developing incidious weapons that can be used in war, and I am sure any animal they can control, prehaps arm with some type of explosive device, would have much appeal to the "war mongers" who are ruling, especially in a communist country where human and animal rights are not high on their list of priorities. It is very scary, but is a sign of the times in which we live, unfortunately. If they experiment further and find it feasible to use the pigeon in such a way, they will.

[keystonepaul]

I don't think it's good for the pigeon but I can see the technology being used to operate artifical limbs, perhaps.

[starlinglover95]

it is, or a similar technology is used for robot prosthetics for people as far as i know.

[hasseian_313]

wow sounds dum maybe they want this to spy on citzens n stuff like thairs millons of wild pigeons o\in the street spy stuff would only resonable