Monday, February 14, 2011

Cockroaches to drive future generation Robotics!


Little did we know that one day our robots could find a cue or two from cockroaches internal mechanics Yes, you heard it right, the insect that we love to hate in our homes. Researchers at Tel Aviv University are so mesmerized by the six-legged houseguests that they confess that cockroaches might be the key for the future advancement in artificial intelligence.

Amir Ayali of Tel Aviv University's Department of Zoology and his team of fellow researchers are busy studying the insect’s nervous system and crack how sensory feedback from one leg is communicated to the other legs.

The researchers have collaborated with Princeton University to construct models and simulations of insect locomotion and are studying how this insect utilizes the information from the environment that helps them to move forward, the sensors gives them a clear picture about the terrain and suggests their movement.


The scientists believe if they help crack this locomotion system, they can soon apply the same technique in artificial intelligence. It was recently showcased at the International Neuroethology conference in Spain and at the Israeli Neuroscience Meeting in December 2010.

If they successfully decode this program, then it will be a great advancement in the making of robotics!

Keep watching this space for more on robotics!

Venky, Signing Off!

Image Source: Honda Asimo Robot.

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