Robots live by the mouse brain

It sounds like science fiction, but it's a real robot made by experts at the University of Reading (UK).

According to University of Reading scientists, the Gordon robot moves by wheel. It is connected to about 300,000 mouse brain cells through 60 electrodes. These cells are kept in sterile environment at mouse temperature.

Gordon's machine. Picture: dailymail.co.uk.

An ultrasound receiver and transmitter help the robot feel its surroundings. Whenever Gordon encounters an obstacle, a signal is sent to brain cells using Bluetooth technology. After signal processing, the "brain" will emit the right turn, turn left, forward, or backward to help the robot avoid obstacles. The robot receives these commands through a disk of 60 electrodes.

The team said the simple control system would eventually be replaced by a more complex system so that Gordon could learn to orient himself. They hope in the future the robot can recognize where it has discovered. If this becomes a reality, scientists will better understand the causes of human brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's, stroke and paralysis.

University of Reading experts say Gordon does not suffer any human or computer impact. All of its activity is controlled by the biological brain.