Researchers to create biomimetic forebrain for 3d-printed robot hands

A team of researchers is to develop a biomimetic forebrain for controlling 3D-printed robot hands with a sense of touch. They aim to create a biomimetic forebrain based on computer modelling of a mammal's neural system that communicates touch in humans and animals, and use this to perform general manipulation tasks in robots. The £1 million research project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust under the Research Leadership Award scheme, will be led by Dr Nathan Lepora from the University of Bristol and Bristol Robotics Laboratory ( BRL ). The five-year research program on 'A biomimetic forebrain for robot touch' will apply leading neuroscience, psychology and philosophy of the brain to develop a biomimetic forebrain embodied on a 3D-printed robot hand, aiming for human-like tactile dexterity. The development of effective robot hands with a sense of touch is crucial for future technology: without human-like tactile dexterity, robots will not be able to solve the interactive tasks predicted for advanced manufacturing, such as autonomous assembly lines; assisted living, including personal robot helpers; food production, for example picking and sorting robots; and healthcare, such as nursing and surgical robots. Robots currently cannot do these tasks because no one knows how to combine what the hands are feels and how they control their action. Yet clearly, this problem has been solved in the human brain and hand.