Spatial Computing in Modular Spiking Neural Networks with a Robotic Embodiment

One of the challenges in modern neuroscience is creating a brain-on-a-chip. Such a semiartificial device based on neural networks grown in vitro should interact with the environment when embodied in a robot. A crucial point in this endeavor is developing a neural network architecture capable of asso...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lobov, Sergey A., Mikhaylov, Alexey N., Berdnikova, Ekaterina S., Makarov Slizneva, Valeriy, Kazantsev, Victor B.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repositorio:Docta Complutense
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/73152
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/73152
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:51
57
Spiking neural networks
Associative learning
Brain-on-a-chip
Neurorobot
Neuroanimat
Matemáticas (Matemáticas)
Biología
12 Matemáticas
24 Ciencias de la Vida
Descripción
Sumario:One of the challenges in modern neuroscience is creating a brain-on-a-chip. Such a semiartificial device based on neural networks grown in vitro should interact with the environment when embodied in a robot. A crucial point in this endeavor is developing a neural network architecture capable of associative learning. This work proposes a mathematical model of a midscale modular spiking neural network (SNN) to study learning mechanisms within the brain-on-a-chip context. We show that besides spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), synaptic and neuronal competitions are critical factors for successful learning. Moreover, the shortest pathway rule can implement the synaptic competition responsible for processing conditional stimuli coming from the environment. This solution is ready for testing in neuronal cultures. The neuronal competition can be implemented by lateral inhibition actuating over the SNN modulus responsible for unconditional responses. Empirical testing of this approach is challenging and requires the development of a technique for growing cultures with a given ratio of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We test the modular SNN embedded in a mobile robot and show that it can establish the association between touch (unconditional) and ultrasonic (conditional) sensors. Then, the robot can avoid obstacles without hitting them, relying on ultrasonic sensors only.