Title: Vitroid – the robot system with an interface between a living neuronal network and outer world

Authors: Suguru N. Kudoh, Minori Tokuda, Ai Kiyohara, Chie Hosokawa, Takahisa Taguchi, Isao Hayashi

Addresses: Laboratory for Neuronal Intelligence Engineering (NI LAB), Department of Human System Interaction, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, Hyougo, 669-1337, Japan. ' Laboratory for Neuronal Intelligence Engineering (NI LAB), Department of Human System Interaction, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, Hyougo, 669-1337, Japan. ' Laboratory for Neuronal Intelligence Engineering (NI LAB), Department of Human System Interaction, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 1-8-31 Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka, 563-8577, Japan; Osaka University Graduate School of Science, 1-1 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka, 563-0043, Japan. ' Cell Engineering RI, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-8-31 Midorigaoka, Ikeda, Osaka, 563-8577, Japan. ' Neuroscience Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Umezono 1-1-1, Tsukuba, 305-8568, Japan. ' Fac. Informatics, Kansai University, 2-1-1, Ryozenji-cho, Takatsuki, Osaka, 569-1095, Japan

Abstract: We have developed a neuro-robot-hybrid system using a living neuronal network and a miniature moving robot. The living network of rat hippocampal neurons can distinguish patterns of action potentials evoked by different inputs, suggesting that a cultured neuronal network can represent particular states as symbols. We used a Khepera II robot and a robot made using a LEGO mindstorm NXT kit to interface with a living neuronal network and the outer world. We call the system |vitroid|. Vitroid has living neurons, a robot body, and direct coupling controllers to interface the neurons with the robot. Vitroid was able to perform obstacle avoidance behaviour with premised control rule sets.

Keywords: MEA; dissociated culture; rat hippocampal neurons; Khepera robots; embodiment; fuzzy reasoning; mobile robots; neuronal network; robot control; obstacle avoidance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2011.039264

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2011 Vol.4 No.2, pp.135 - 149

Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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