Remote-controlled animal

A remote-controlled animal is controlled via a radio link. Electrodes have to be implanted in the animal's brain and it has to carry a receiver (typically on its back). The electrodes do not move the animal directly, as one would move a robot; instead, they are used to signal its desired direction or action, then stimulate the animal's reward centers if it complies. Because of the surgery required, the method is unlikely to replace conventional animal training methods.

Animals that have been used as candidates for remote control include:

* American cockroach (Tokyo University, 1997) ["Japan's latest innovation: a remote-control roach", AP September 1, 1997, Eric Talmadge, http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/18.76.html#subj4]
* Rats (State University of New York, 2002) ["Scientists "Drive" Rats By Remote Control", National Geographic, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/05/0501_020501_roborats.html]
* Dogfish Shark (Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 2005) ["Sharks: Ocean Spies of the future?", Triplepoint, 2005, http://www.bu.edu/sjmag/scimag2005/features/spysharks.htm]
* Pigeons (Shandong University of Science and Technology, China, 2007) ["Cyborg Flying Rats Invade China", WiReD blog, February 27, 2007, http://blog.wired.com/defense/2007/02/cyborg_flying_r.html]

References

External links

* http://ai-depot.com/Biology/441.html
* http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1109541 <---Must have a subscription to view article at this address.