In ancient Greece, pigeons were utilized to deliver messages for the Olympic games and as messengers during wartime. Recently in British Columbia, pigeons were discovered being used to smuggle drugs into prisons. Researchers in Vancouver have now enlisted pigeons to assist in designing more intelligent drones.
A study led by the University of British Columbia and published in Current Biology involved fitting homing pigeons with miniature backpacks carrying a small computer and head-mounted cameras to observe their eye movements during flight. The complete system, weighing around 27 grams, included a compact computer, a modified commercial camera, and sensors tracking the birds’ movements and orientation.
Anthony Lapsansky, the researcher behind the study, detailed the process of outfitting the pigeons with equipment, emphasizing the need for practice and trial and error. The pigeons were gradually acclimated to wearing the gear, starting with fake backpacks to ensure their comfort.
The researchers worked with a group of approximately 16 pigeons, releasing them along a familiar route. The pigeons, being homing birds, returned to their loft where the researchers retrieved the recorded footage for analysis.
The study revealed that pigeons make subtle eye movements during flight, potentially aiding in gathering detailed information about their surroundings. This challenges the misconception that pigeons keep their eyes fixed while flying due to their lateral eye placement.
Another recent study, published in the same journal, suggested that pigeons maintain steady eye positions during flight. The differing findings may be attributed to the flight conditions and altitudes of the birds in each study.
The research indicates that pigeons’ eye movements could offer insights for enhancing drone technology. By incorporating adaptable cameras that mimic birds’ dynamic vision, engineers could potentially improve the maneuverability and efficiency of drones.