A Russian neurotechnology startup called Neiry has implanted neural-control devices and cameras into pigeons to create remotely steered bio-drones [1, 2].
This development represents a shift toward biological surveillance, merging living organisms with electronic control systems for potential military and intelligence applications [1, 4].
Operating out of a laboratory in Moscow, Neiry installed brain-zapping chips and cameras into the birds [1, 2]. These implants allow operators to steer the pigeons remotely, effectively hacking the animals' natural behaviors to serve as living drones [1, 3]. The project aims to create controllable biological assets for surveillance and potential military use [1, 4].
While these implants provide external control, pigeons possess innate navigation abilities. The birds can pinpoint their location and navigate home autonomously from hundreds of kilometers [5] away using the sun, smell, and the Earth’s magnetic field [5].
Reports of the technology first surfaced in 2024 [1, 2]. The integration of these neural implants allows the firm to override or supplement the birds' natural instincts with electronic commands [1]. By combining the pigeon's natural flight endurance with remote steering and visual feeds, the startup has created a hybrid surveillance tool [1, 3].
Neiry has not released a public statement regarding the specific scale of the fleet or the current operational status of these bio-drones. However, the project highlights a growing trend in neurotechnology where brain-computer interfaces are applied to non-human species to achieve specific tactical goals [1, 2].
“Neiry has implanted neural-control devices and cameras into pigeons to create remotely steered bio-drones.”
The transition from traditional mechanical drones to 'bio-drones' suggests a strategic interest in stealth surveillance. Because pigeons are common in urban environments, they provide a natural cover that electronic drones lack, potentially allowing for intelligence gathering that is difficult to detect through standard electronic warfare or visual scanning.
