The movements of the new robot controls moth
American scientists from the University of Arizona have developed a very unusual robotic design, the movements of which are controlled by a moth.
Moth-Controlled Robot
(Photo from the University of Arizona)
Charles Higgins, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer engineering, as well as doctoral student Timothy Melano took part in the work on the creation of the robot, as the authors of the project call it. In the process of research, scientists implanted electrodes into the moth's brain, and the impulses generated by neurons, after a corresponding transformation, were used to control the mechanical design. At the same time, the moth itself was placed in a plastic cylinder and mounted on a circular platform surrounded by a rotating wall with vertical lines.
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During the experiments, the moth's brain, reacting to signals transmitted by the visual apparatus during the rotation of the platform walls, began to generate the same impulses as if the insect were in flight. These pulses were then amplified and used to send commands to the electric drives of the wheels. In the course of the experiments, the researchers managed to get the robot to move left or right, but not directly or back. At the same time, the biggest “journey” lasted 88 seconds.
Higgins and Melano's research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the United States Air Force. It is assumed that the results of experiments will allow a better understanding of the principles of the human brain. In the future, as expected, research by scientists from the University of Arizona will help in restoring the lost brain functions. In addition, the results of the work can lead to the emergence of fundamentally new prostheses, literally controlled by the power of thought.
Source Compulenta .
Moth-Controlled Robot
(Photo from the University of Arizona)
Charles Higgins, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer engineering, as well as doctoral student Timothy Melano took part in the work on the creation of the robot, as the authors of the project call it. In the process of research, scientists implanted electrodes into the moth's brain, and the impulses generated by neurons, after a corresponding transformation, were used to control the mechanical design. At the same time, the moth itself was placed in a plastic cylinder and mounted on a circular platform surrounded by a rotating wall with vertical lines.
')
During the experiments, the moth's brain, reacting to signals transmitted by the visual apparatus during the rotation of the platform walls, began to generate the same impulses as if the insect were in flight. These pulses were then amplified and used to send commands to the electric drives of the wheels. In the course of the experiments, the researchers managed to get the robot to move left or right, but not directly or back. At the same time, the biggest “journey” lasted 88 seconds.
Higgins and Melano's research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the United States Air Force. It is assumed that the results of experiments will allow a better understanding of the principles of the human brain. In the future, as expected, research by scientists from the University of Arizona will help in restoring the lost brain functions. In addition, the results of the work can lead to the emergence of fundamentally new prostheses, literally controlled by the power of thought.
Source Compulenta .
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/16465/
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