Hybrot Explained

A hybrot (short for "hybrid robot") is a cybernetic organism in the form of a robot controlled by a computer consisting of both electronic and biological elements. The biological elements are typically rat neurons connected to a computer chip.

This feat was first accomplished in 2003 by Dr. Steve M. Potter, a professor of biomedical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology:

What separates a hybrot from a cyborg is that the latter term is commonly used to refer to a cybernetically enhanced human or animal; while a hybrot is an entirely new type of creature constructed from organic and artificial materials. It is perhaps helpful to think of the hybrot as "semi-living", a term also used by the hybrot's inventors.^[1]

Another interesting feature of the hybrot is its longevity. Neurons separated from a living brain usually die after only a couple of months. However, a specially designed incubator built around a gas-tight culture chamber selectively permeable to carbon dioxide, but impermeable to water vapor, reduces the risk of contamination and evaporation, and may extend the life of the hybrot to one to two years.^{[2] [3]}

See also

• Animat
• Artificial intelligence
• Biorobotics
• Brain–computer interface
• Neurorobotics
• Semi-biotic systems
• Xenobot

References

Sources

• 10.1023/A:1012407611130 . Thomas B. DeMarse . Daniel A. Wagenaar . Axel W. Blau . Steve M. Potter . The Neurally Controlled Animat: Biological Brains Acting with Simulated Bodies . 2001 . Autonomous Robots . 11 . 3 . 305–310 . 2440704 . 18584059.
• Shkolnik, A. C. Neurally Controlled Simulated Robot: Applying Cultured Neurons to Handle and Approach/Avoidance Task in Real Time, and a Framework for Studying Learning In Vitro. In: Potter, S. M. & Lu, J.: Dept. of Mathematics and Computer Science. Emory University, Atlanta (2003).
• Wagenaar, D. A. . Demarse, T. B. . Taketani, M. . Baudry, M. New York . 2006 . Closing the Loop: Stimulation Feedback Systems for Embodied MEA Cultures . Advances in Network Electrophysiology Using Multi-Electrode Arrays . 215–242 .

External links

• Georgia Tech Researchers Use Lab Cultures to Control Robotic Device
• Georgia Tech researchers use lab cultures to control robotic device
• A hybrot, the Rat-Brained Robot
• Multielectrode Array Art  - A hybrot artist.
• Rise of the rat-brained robots
• FuturePundit: Hybrot Robot Operated By Rat Brain Neurons
• How to Culture, Record and Stimulate Neuronal Networks on Micro-electrode Arrays (MEAs)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Multielectrode Array Art . NeuroLab . 2010-05-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100702090836/http://www.neuro.gatech.edu/groups/potter/MEART.html . 2010-07-02 .
2. Potter . Steve . DeMarse . Thomas . A new approach to neural cell culture for long-term studies . Journal of Neuroscience Methods . 110 . 1–2 . 17–24 . 30 Sep 2001 . 11564520 . 10.1016/S0165-0270(01)00412-5 . 18002796 .
3. Web site: Georgia Tech Researchers Use Lab Cultures To Control Robotic Device . ScienceDaily . 2003-04-28 . 2010-05-20.