With implantation of human tissue, the robot can move around alone

In tests conducted in the laboratory rat neurons were inserted into a robot that has to move in order to avoid obstacles - skill that has not been scheduled but learned by mini-brains. The next step involves the use of human tissue.

According to an article published by the m + Magazine, Professor Kevin Warwick and his team at the Department of Cybernetics University of Reading are trying to develop a way to fuse human molecular structures with computers or robots.

Warwick said his project is a result of early studies of artificial intelligence, where, in theory, could create a structure of neural network with human tissue.

A project like this can generate a certain fear of "Rise of the Machines" in the general public, along the lines of the Matrix films and the Terminator. Asked about this possibility, the teacher showed cautious: "we need to learn about all the possibilities to make sure that nothing goes wrong," he said.

"If this research is done openly and is reported sensibly in the media in general, as this is being, then nothing wrong will happen. I worry every day to ensure that there is no such study in progress that the world know.

Warwick (which has a device implanted in the left arm that allows your nervous system is connected to a computer) and his colleague, Professor Ben Whalley, recently created a robot that has received about 300 thousand rat neurons, grown in the laboratory.

The peaks of electrical activity of neurons were then connected to the sensor outputs from the robot, which was able to get around without touching the walls, showing that the agency gave the robot a significant capacity for decision making. The "directional sense" of the robot has learned the small brain and not previously set by software.

"This new research is tremendously exciting primarily because of the biological brain to control your own mobile robot body. And it will allow us to investigate how the brain learns and memorizes its experiences. This research represents an advance in our understanding of how brains work, and could have a profound effect on many areas of science and medicine. "said Warwick.

According to a press release posted on the website of the university, the biological brain robot is composed of neurons which are placed in an array with 60 electrodes encased in a capsule. The electrodes receive the electrical signals generated by cells, which are then used to direct the movement of the robot.

Every time the robot nears an object, sensors send signals to stimulate the brain. In response, the output of the brain is used to drive the wheels of the robot, left and right, so he moves to avoid hitting objects.

The robot has no additional control from a human or a computer, its sole means of decision is from his own brain.

This result is an important step to learn how to create memories neural structures in the brain, and how certain information is stored, and a better understanding about the diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke and brain injury.

The study of these diseases, and not the creation of a humanized robot is the main motivation BANKRZ and staff.

"For any human being, an action can be repeated until you feel that this attitude is becoming automatic - and, indeed, the connections in your brain are effectively reinforcing the process of repetition in search of the automatic movement - with the rat brain of the robot can actually look at these links strengthening day by day under the microscope. It's fascinating, "he said Warwick.

A video with a demonstration of the cyborg can be viewed at bit.ly / brainbot.

Síntese -->

Nos testes realizados em laboratório, neurônios de rato foram inseridos em um autômato que passou a se movimentar de forma a desviar de obstáculos - habilidade que não foi programada mas aprendida pelo mini-cérebro. A próxima etapa envolve o uso tecido humano.

De acordo com um artigo publicado pela h+ Magazine, o professor Kevin Warwick e sua equipe no Departamento de Cibernética da University of Reading estão tentando desenvolver uma maneira de fundir estruturas moleculares humanas com computadores ou robôs.

Warwick disse que seu projeto é uma sequência de antigos estudos de inteligência artificial, onde, em teoria, poderia se criar uma estrutura de rede neural com tecido humano.