Aussie researcher modelling robot that would include rat brain, human eyes
QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 01:51 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 02:18 PM EDT
An Australian researcher is combining the brain of a rat and the eyes of a human to make an intelligent robot that can see where it is and where it needs to go. On a computer, at least.
"This is a very Frankenstein type of project," Michael Milford of the Queensland University of Technology said in a release about the research, which was published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
"A rodent's spatial memory is strong but has very poor vision while humans can easily recognise where they are because of eyesight," he said.
Current robotic and personal navigation systems, such as GPS or lasers and cameras "leave much to be desired," Milford said. This robot would be able to understand where it is and move around obstacles to reach its destination. The research could have benefits in manufacturing and environmental management.
The entire project is being done through computer modelling, and there does not appear to be any plans to have a Frankenrat running around Milford's lab.
Aussie researcher modelling robot that would include rat brain, human eyes | Gad
QMI Agency
First posted: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 01:51 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 02:18 PM EDT
An Australian researcher is combining the brain of a rat and the eyes of a human to make an intelligent robot that can see where it is and where it needs to go. On a computer, at least.
"This is a very Frankenstein type of project," Michael Milford of the Queensland University of Technology said in a release about the research, which was published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
"A rodent's spatial memory is strong but has very poor vision while humans can easily recognise where they are because of eyesight," he said.
Current robotic and personal navigation systems, such as GPS or lasers and cameras "leave much to be desired," Milford said. This robot would be able to understand where it is and move around obstacles to reach its destination. The research could have benefits in manufacturing and environmental management.
The entire project is being done through computer modelling, and there does not appear to be any plans to have a Frankenrat running around Milford's lab.
Aussie researcher modelling robot that would include rat brain, human eyes | Gad