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)