Robot Controlled By Rat Brain

kkleiner writes "Kevin Warwick, once a cyborg and still a researcher in cybernetics at the University of Reading, has been working on creating biological neural networks that can control machines. He and his team have taken the brain cells from rats, cultured them, and used them as the guidance control circuit for simple wheeled robots. Electrical impulses from the bot enter the batch of neurons, and responses from the cells are turned into commands for the device. The cells can form new connections, making the system a true learning machine."

I for one would like to take this opportunity...

[JeffSpudrinski]

to greet our new rat overlords.

Rats!! A cylon!

[SlappyBastard]

On the bright side, when the robot apocalypse comes, no one will be blaming the computer programmers. They'll just track down these guys and ask them, "I know you were working really hard, but how did you never catch an episode of Battlestar Galactica?!"

Re:I for one would like to take this opportunity..

[msauve]

"The same thing we do every day, Pinky, try to take over the world!"

Christine O'Donnell Was Right!

[chill]

Well, not really, but it is as close as she is going to get on any subject.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/odonnell-in-2007-scientists-have-created-mice-with-human-brains.php [talkingpointsmemo.com]

Re:Misleading title should say "... Rat Brain Cell

[tverbeek]

"Separate beasts" is a bit of a muddled metaphor in this instance.

Mad Scientist

[locallyunscene]

*Cackles Maniacally*

Now go, my ratbots. Go and wheel your way into the glorious future, heralding humanity's DOOM!

*More Evil Laughter*

Re:the genesis of the Daleks!

[Drakkenmensch]

I'm sure chief scientist Davros only has our best intentions in mind.

Re:Use cute and pleasant brain cells

[FTWinston]

Rat brain cells are not going to strike the right chord with people. I would use brain cells from an animal people are familiar with, and trust, like horses, cats, dogs, monkeys, or cattle.

You might want to reconsider some of that. While fancy rats are inquisitive, friendly and sociable, a cat-brained robot would really be the most sociopathic cyborg I can imagine.

And besides, if they were to use cat brain cells, a lot more people would regard that as inhumane compared to using the poor rats!

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:True learning machine?

[arndawg]

A machine needs to made out of silicone and semi-conductors. Also it should have red glowing eyes and a hard metal skeleton powered by a nuclear core. Optionally you can add some fake skin on the skeleton for apperances.

Excellent!

[bratwiz]

Now we have a viable alternative for politicians.

(And they can make their own robo-calls too! :-)

Re:Sentient cells?

[aardwolf64]

They're rat neurons, so you use REALLY TINY bits of cheese, obviously.

Re:Rats!! A cylon!

[TCFOO]

Great, now when the terminators come we just have to find the rats that control skynet.

Re:Brain:

[snowraver1]

Oh, I think so Brain... But where can we find a pastry shop open at this time of night?

Re:Robot Controlled by Rat Brain

[FiloEleven]

Calling it a rat brain would be like calling a heap of randomly wired intel-made-transistors a core2duo.

Sssssh....that's how I make money on eBay!

Big Deal

[DarthVain]

My manager has been controlled by a rat brain for years...

Re:Brain:

[Abstrackt]

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
(Pinky) Whoof, oh, I'd have to say the odds of that are terribly slim Brain.
(Brain) True.
(Pinky) I mean, really, when have I ever been pondering what you've been pondering?
(Brain) To my knowledge, never.
(Pinky) Exactly. So, what are the chances that this time, I'm pondering what you're pondering?
(Brain) Next to nil.
(Pinky) Well, that's exactly what I'm thinking, too.
(Brain) Therefore, you are pondering what I'm pondering.
(Pinky) Poit, I guess I am!

Re:Robot Controlled by Rat Brain

[Anonymous Coward]

It is an ex-rat!