Neurally controlled animat

A Neurally Controlled Animat is the conjunction of (1) a neural network cultivated on a multiple electrode array and (2) a virtual body, the Animat, "living" in a virtual computer generated environment, connected to this array. Patterns of neural activity are used to control the virtual body, and the computer is used as a sensory device to provide electrical feedback to the neural network about the Animat's movement in the virtual environment.

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The current aim of the Animat research is to study the neuronal activity and plasticity when learning and processing information in order to find a mathematical model for the neural network.

It leads towards interesting questions about consciousness theories as well.

References

• T. B., Demarse, D. A. Wagenaar, A. W. Blau and S. M. Potter, ‘Neurally controlled computer-simulated animals: a new tool for studying learning and memory in vitro’ in Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, (2000) SFN ID: 2961.
• T. B., Demarse, D. A. Wagenaar, A. W. Blau and S. M. Potter, (2001). ‘The neurally controlled Animat: biological brains acting with simulated bodies’. Autonomous Robots no.11, pp.305–310