Rat-Brained Robots Take Their First Steps 289
missb writes "Brain tissue cultured from rats has controlled a wheeled robot around a lab, according to New Scientist this week. Researchers in the UK have harnessed signals from thousands of disembodied rat neurons, and manipulated them to get a robot to respond to instructions. The team at the University of Reading in the UK hope their research will help provide treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy."
Rat-Brained overlords (Score:3, Funny)
I for one welcome our new Rat-Brained Robot overlords!
Names please. (Score:5, Funny)
What does it do when you show it cheese ? (Score:3, Funny)
this is old news (Score:5, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
Aaargh (Score:4, Funny)
Re:LOVE the misspelling (Score:3, Funny)
Jack the sound barrier. Bring the noise! (Score:4, Funny)
Will these rat things be programmed never to break the sound barrier in a populated area?
I'll raise you... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:What in the... (Score:5, Funny)
Am I the only one who fails to see how these rodent zombie robots have anything to do with Alzheimer's?
Well I assume it's because having a zombie rat robot come at you is something not even an Alzheimer's sufferer would forget.
Re:Obligatory.. (Score:5, Funny)
Conquer the world, of course. This was the first conclusion I came to.
Re:I, for one, (Score:3, Funny)
What are we going to do tomorrow night?
The same thing we do every night, TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD!
Re:Obligatory.. (Score:5, Funny)
The same thing we do every night, Pinky - try to take over the world.
Re:this is old news (Score:3, Funny)
They tried a mass of politician neurons first, but the robot kept speeding directly for the wall.
Future LucasArts project... (Score:4, Funny)
Off in the distance: "Brains, braaiinnss..."
Re:What was that sound? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Obligatory.. (Score:2, Funny)
NARF!
Re:Names please. (Score:5, Funny)
This gives a whole new meaning to "EXTERMINATE, EXTERMINATE!"
Re:Names please. (Score:5, Funny)
You level the building.
I for one (Score:3, Funny)
I for one, congratulate the RIAA for taking their first steps.
Re:Rat-Brained overlords (Score:2, Funny)
Was I the only one who read the article? (Score:2, Funny)
This work will hopefully contribute to our knowledge of how brains work, but its potential should not be wasted on that, says Potter. "This system is a model. Everything it does is merely similar to what goes on in the brain, it's not really the same thing. We can learn about the boring brain - but when we make sentient Monster Trucks, that will truly be badass." He then pumped his fist 3 times and held up the sign of the goat for a few seconds before returning to a screaming guitar solo.
Re:Rat-Brained overlords (Score:5, Funny)
Agreed. Please stop hijacking me!
Re:Rat-Brained overlords (Score:5, Funny)
Phn'glui M'gl wna'f, Cthulhu R'lyeh Wgha Nagl Ftaghn
Re:SWEET!!! (Score:3, Funny)
You can't have me for less than $250 a day, and I don't do windows.
Re:this is old news (Score:3, Funny)
They tried a mass of politician neurons first, but the robot kept speeding directly for the wall.
...and tried to shag the wall once it reached it...
Re:That outcome is very much exaggerated. (Score:2, Funny)
"Yep, Uncle John was in terrible shape, what with his Alzheimer's and epilepsy and what not. But those doctors smeared some of his brain cells on that robot, and now he's just rolling around like crazy!"
No but... Re: Climb Stairs? (Score:1, Funny)
It walks down stairs
alone or in pairs
and makes the slinkety sound
Re:What does it do when you show it cheese ? (Score:3, Funny)
Would you put your brain in a robot body? (Score:2, Funny)
Why? I like my body. I love my body...
So.. (Score:3, Funny)
A real stainless steel rat?
Re:Rat-Brained overlords (Score:1, Funny)
Have epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease?
Have no fear - we can replace your brain with a rat brain that takes care of that minor issue!