Digital model of the brain nematode worms downloaded into a robot out of Lego

Modeling of the human brain - a task which scientists can perform only in the distant future date (if at all will be able to). Display in the digital model, all these billions of connections between neurons, as well as to simulate the exchange of information until nobody can.

But this is the human brain. But a simplified model of the brain simplest nematode worms have already created. On Gikah already published articles about the project OpenWorm, whose members are trying to create a digital model of the worm, the brain and the whole body.

The fact that the nematode - a very simple organism, consisting of just over 900 cells. The nervous system of the worm consists of 302 neurons. The interaction between individual cells and systems for a long time described, so create a digital copy is relatively easy (compared to the complexity of modeling the figure of more complex organisms).



Whatever it was, ученым still managed describe the work and the relationships between all 302 neurons of the brain worm, as well as to simulate the brain in a digital model. Digital model scientists placed a robot from Lego Mindstorms EV3 ( review its on Gikah), all of whose elements have their analogues in the body of a real worm. So, here sonar replaced worm nose and actuators - the motor neurons in each part of the body of the worm.

Surprisingly, without any additional instructions the robot was able to move independently, and behavioral patterns of the robot are similar to those patterns ordinary worm. Thus, the activation of "food sensor" made the robot to move forward, and touch to the front or rear sensor led to move the robot forward or backward.



It should be noted that the simulation of the brain still is not complete - the researchers used some simplifications and approximations to launch a digital copy in the foreseeable future. But the fact is that even such a simplified copy, failed to protect the robot from colliding with obstacles (without additional instructions in the program). In addition, the robot able to choose the direction of movement, which can also be called a significant achievement.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/242981/