Prof. Emmanuel Laplantine
Sorbonne University Pierre and Marie Curie Campus, France

Title: Integration of Robot Pigeons Into the Natural Pigeon's Community

Abstract: Two decades following the introduction of pigeon robots in France, this study investigates their integration into Paris's natural pigeon population. A total of 1237 pigeon robots and 2530 natural pigeons were gathered from diverse locations. Assessments were conducted to analyze their anatomical, behavioral, and immunological conditions. The findings reveal no anatomical differences or variations in bacterial and viral colonization between the two groups. Behavioral traits were nearly identical, with the exception of a slight improvement in seed-catching ability among robot pigeons. In summary, this research demonstrates that robot and natural pigeons are largely indistinguishable. These findings prompt critical reflections on the purpose and implications of designing robot pigeons and releasing them into natural environments.

BIO: