Computer modelling of the human eye, the brain of a rat and a robot could revolutionise advances in neuroscience and new technology, says a QUT leading robotics researcher.
Dr Michael Milford from QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty says the new study uses new computer algorithms to enable robots to navigate intelligently, unrestricted by high-density buildings or tunnels.
“This is a very Frankenstein type of project,” Dr Milford said.
“It’s putting two halves of a thing together because we’re taking the eyes of a human and linking them up with the brain of a rat.
“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.
“We have existing research, software algorithms in robots to model the human and rat brain.
“We’ll plug in the two pieces of software together on a robot moving around in an environment and see what happens.”
The research has been published in the British journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
Dr Milford said the research would also study how the human brain degrades, in particular how it fails to recognize familiar places.
“The brain’s spatial navigation capabilities degrade early in diseases like Alzheimer’s,” he said.
“So it has relevance as a potential study mechanism for studying mental disease as well.”
Dr Milford was awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship to support his study.
He is one of Australia’s leading experts on developing technology to visually recognise locations and is chief investigator at the QUT-based headquarters of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Robotic Vision.
Dr Milford said place recognition is a key component of navigation but the technology to date is limited.
“Current robotic and personal navigation systems leave much to be desired,” he said.
“GPS only works in open outdoor areas, lasers are expensive and cameras are highly sensitive but in contrast, nature has evolved superb navigation systems.”
Dr Milford said drivers could miss or take the wrong exit because personal navigation systems didn’t work in tunnels because there was no satellite signal.
“That’s an example of one of many ways we’d like to create really cool, useful technology,” he said.
The Latest on: Robot navigation
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Robot navigation” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Robot navigation
- Dyson’s new robot vacuum is $1,200 — here are some of our more affordable favoriteson April 27, 2024 at 7:00 am
We love Dyson's other vacuums. And this robot vacuum is packed with features. But does it justify that price tag?
- Students and faculty upset over AI Robot 'Sophia' giving commencement speech; university offers solutionon April 26, 2024 at 3:55 pm
"I'm going to be sitting on stage with the robot and I'm going to be asking 'Sophia' questions. Kind of about the future and the future students step into as they close that chapter of their college ...
- Wyoming Outdoorsmen Praise New Laser-Guided, Flamethrowing Robot Dogon April 26, 2024 at 1:06 pm
Need more firepower and have about $9,500 to spare? A pair of Wyoming outdoorsmen believe that a laser-guided flamethrower robot dog is the greatest thing you never knew you needed.
- This is the Best Robot Vacuum and it's now only $999on April 26, 2024 at 5:22 am
If you were to ask me, someone who has reviewed over ten different robot vacuums this year and over 50 in the past five years, which is the best robot vacuum? I’d have to say the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 ...
- Ohio company hawks fire-breathing robot dog that can torch anything in its pathon April 25, 2024 at 12:07 pm
Ohio-based company Throwflame has created a robotic dog named the Thermonator that is capable of emitting 30-foot jets of fire.
- Somehow This $10,000 Flame-Thrower Robot Dog Is Completely Legal in 48 Stateson April 24, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Back in 2018, Elon Musk made the news for offering an official Boring Company flamethrower that reportedly sold 10,000 units in 48 hours. It sparked some controversy, because flamethrowers can also ...
- Ohio company launches Thermonator, a flamethrowing robot dogon April 24, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Throwflame, an Ohio-based flamethrower manufacturer, has released what it says is the first-ever robot dog with a flamethrower attached for remote firestarting.
- ETH Zurich’s wheeled-legged robot masters urban terrain autonomouslyon April 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ETH Zurich researchers use advanced learning methods to create an autonomous wheeled-legged robot's control system.
- Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo: Which premium robot vacuum is best?on April 24, 2024 at 11:00 am
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo are two of the best robot vacuums of 2024. But which is better for your home?
- Snag this Roomba robot vacuum while it’s discounted to $180on April 24, 2024 at 6:15 am
The iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum is down to a more affordable $180 from Crutchfield, so if you need help in cleaning your floors, you should shop this offer.
via Bing News