A Rodent With a Robot Brain? It's True

Israeli researchers are taking the concept of "artificial intelligence" to an entirely new level.

A team at Tel Aviv University has deveoped a tiny, rodent-sized artificial cerebellum that can be implanted onto the skull of a rat. In experiments, the AI brain enables a rat with brain damage to function normally.

The robotic cerebellum includes a computer chip, which is electrically wired to the rat's brain with electrodes. The cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that normally coordinates movement, interprets sensory info from the rat's body, then communicates messages to the brain stem and back out to the rest of the body.

So why do Israeli researchers want to create robo-rats? To get closer to human cyborg brain implants, of course! Sure, it may sound creepy. But think of all the people with brain damage an artificial cerebellum may help one day.

I for one welcome the age of half-man, half-robot.

Comments

[Chris Haye]

resistance is futile

[who cares]

I'm sure the rat consented.