Russian startup turns pigeons into brain-controlled 'living' drones

A Moscow-based startup, Neiry, has developed a neurotechnology project called PJN-1 that implants microscopic electrodes into pigeons’ brains, enabling operators to control their flight paths via electrical impulses. The birds carry lightweight backpacks equipped with controllers, navigation hardware, solar panels, and cameras, allowing real-time GPS tracking and video recording. According to the company, pigeons can fly preset routes and return on command immediately after surgery, without conditioning, and the implantation process reportedly has a 100% survival rate, though this lacks independent verification. The startup argues that pigeons offer advantages over conventional drones, such as longer flight endurance (up to 300 miles per day), ability to navigate complex terrain and tight spaces, and operation in weather or airspace conditions that ground drones. These biodrones could be used for infrastructure inspection, industrial monitoring, power line surveillance, and search and rescue in difficult locations. Neiry plans to expand the technology to other bird species—such as ravens for heavier payloads