This humanoid robot has a mind of its own. Researchers at Tianjin University in China have created a robot controlled by human brain cells, which represents a pioneering advancement in the field of biocomputing.
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The South China Morning Post ominously reported that it could lead to the development of a "hybrid human-robotic intelligence."
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"Brain on a chip"
In short, the university described technological advancement as a "brain on a chip." Stem cells that were meant to become part of the human brain were used to develop the robot in the form of an action figure.
When combined with an electrode on a computer chip, it is capable of encoding and decoding so that its mechanical container can complete a series of tasks. Researchers describe the project as “the first intelligent system for open-source complex information interaction with a brain on a chip.”
In addition to driving the robot, the brain implant can actually help it avoid obstacles, track targets, and control the use of its arm to grab things, according to New Atlas. It has no eyes and can only respond through electrical and sensory signals.
The media also reported that the brain-shaped dome on top of the Megazord double is purely a cosmetic representation and not the actual tissue in use.
Advances
Another potential use of robotic advancement is the potential to repair damage in the human cerebral cortex, among other neurological healing techniques.
"The transplantation of brain organoids is considered a promising strategy for restoring brain function by replacing lost neurons and reconstructing neuronal circuits," wrote the team in their research, according to the South China Morning Post.
It is based on the dedicated research of Neuralink, a research company founded by Elon Musk that focuses on the medical benefits of implementing chips in people.