Rat brains + robot = kinda cool, kinda creepy.
August 16, 2008 – 6:00 amThis one can go either way for us. Decide for yourself.
What it is:
A robot that operates using a cluster of living rat brain cells paired with electrodes to process stimuli and deliver a response.
What’s cool:
Studying how the brain cells fire in response to stimuli (an as importantly, no stimuli) is giving researchers strong insight into how brains function and could lead to breakthroughs in treating epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. Some researchers involved in the project, also think that the cluster of brain cells is also displaying patterns over time that could be indicators of learning behavior.
What’s creepy:
1. Their are multiple research teams throughout the world creating robot/animal brain hybrid robots and systems- they are called “animats”.
2. Harvesting living brain cells to power Robots that learn.
3. See #2 .
You can read the full article at New Scientist.
