This was posted a while back in the Useless Void... it's not like this is some kind of a Frankenstein's monster - they are "simply" using brain cells as a CPU of sorts (neural network). It's not self-aware
This was posted a while back in the Useless Void... it's not like this is some kind of a Frankenstein's monster - they are "simply" using brain cells as a CPU of sorts (neural network). It's not self-aware
I don't think this is the same project. I saw the video about using neural tissue to use as a neural net. In this clip it clearly says they have rat brains in jars (with a bunch of electrodes) connected to the little robot car by bluetooth, sending sensory input back and forth. I may be wrong but I still think it's creepy. I'm not fond of using animal in experiments, esp. not when they're dissected and their brains harvested to be manipulated while still being alive.
As the video said, they used several different rat brains and each acted completely different/unique.
Of course, if we skip the ethical issues this could lead to further research into cybernetics, biolinks (using some future version of bluetooth to connect the brain to an artificial leg etc.) and even transplanting brains into robot exoskeletons.
It reacted differently because the pathways that are formed are random. This is how one "trains" the neural network... you apply a signal, and it reacts, starts building pathways which are different at first. Eventually certain responses become more consistent, since what I guess one might call a "preferred" pathway is formed. This is why it's called a learning computer - it forms responses to stimuli on its own.
I am no neuroscientist, so I don't know if such a thing is possible, but I suppose it's also conceivable that if they somehow manage to connect to exactly the same points in the brain (which in itself seems a bit odd - it's not like the brain has conveniently placed pins ) that it might react via already formed pathways in the brain and since all brains are wired differently (due to the same semi-random training process), the machine would also react differently. This still feels like something only Walter Bishop could possibly do though
You do need to preserve the tissue, so of course they have brains in jars. Those brains being alive/aware while in use though, is something beyond our capabilities I imagine
EDIT:
Here's a link with more info and videos. As they explain, they are using cells, just like one would use in a neuron network. Ethically speaking, this is no more wrong than any other experiment being carried out on rats for medical purposes. You can of course have an argument about this abuse of lab rats, but it's a whole other issue
They're using it just as a neural network. It makes no sense for them to use the entire brain as it brings about a slew of possible issues (how to keep it alive?), plus all the brain centers that interact need to be kept in check as well. And we don't even have a proper working organic neural net.
But I'm just guessing. And it's also not the only machine that can learn as they describe. Neural nets are created, simulated and trained in computers regularly. They can learn just fine.
Agreed, considering the advances that the soviets did during the 40s ( assuming that the video above is real ) there has been nothing but hindrance lately. Science must flourish, science shouldn't be hindered by ethics, political correctness and whatnot.
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) that it might react via already formed pathways in the brain and since all brains are wired differently (due to the same semi-random training process), the machine would also react differently. This still feels like something only Walter Bishop could possibly do though 
