Russian startup Neiry Group is allegedly developing a technology for implanting special chips into the brains of pigeons, which would allow them to be turned into remotely controlled biodrones.
Russian startup Neiry Group is allegedly developing a technology for implanting special chips into the brains of pigeons, which would allow them to be turned into remotely controlled biodrones.
According to a study by the publication T-invariant, cited by Meduza, such birds can be used as drones.
The founder of the startup, Alexander Panov, apparently managed to attract significant investments to this business, and according to the information provided, the pigeon biodrones with implanted neurointerfaces were first tested on November 25 last year during a flight from the laboratory and back.
According to press releases, the startup Neiry has already «produced» dozens of such birds, and they can be used for monitoring.
«But theoretically, biodrones can be used for other purposes, including military ones. For example, for covert surveillance of the enemy. However, Neiry representatives emphasize the peaceful nature of the developments. So far, the birds are being tested at short distances, but in the future, the developers plan to send them on flights of tens of kilometers,» the material notes.
At the same time, the PJN-1 biodrone can be distinguished from an ordinary pigeon by the fact that a neurointerface wire protrudes from its head, a backpack with electronics for control and solar panels for its operation is placed on its back, and a video camera is placed on its chest.
The Russian startup Neiry claims that biodrones do not require training, and their advantage over conventional drones lies in their long operating time, range, and low risk of accidents.
It is known that the Neiry group of companies was founded in 2018 by Alexander Panov. Currently, Neiry is working on various neurotechnologies related to both humans and animals. For example, the company sells headsets that track a person’s psychological state based on electrical activity of the brain, and special devices for stimulating the vagus nerve.
At the same time, Panov’s startup is connected by joint projects with the institute, which is headed by Vladimir Putin’s daughter, Ekaterina Tikhonova.
As dev.ua reported, Russia wants to launch the Zorkiy satellite network, an analogue of Elon Musk’s Starlink.
dev.ua also reported how Ukrainian intelligence learned to use the transparency of the Russian information space to identify and eliminate military personnel on Russian territory.
