Robot With An Organic RAT Brain

Maybe it’s because I’m a big Simpsons fan that I keep on seeing their influence on technology whether it’s there or not. In this case I see this next story as a precursor to a halloween episode where Homer has his brain transplanted into the body of a robot, with sexy results.

Researchers at the University of Reading in the UK have created a robot that contains cultured rat brain cells. An array of electrodes are hooked up to the neurons and can give signals to the “brain.” When the robot nears an obstacle such as a wall, the electrodes send a signal to the neurons. The neurons then control the wheels and change direction to avoid the obstacle when they receive the signal.

Video of the robot in action, along with more detailed commentary on its workings after the jump.