Chinese researchers have announced the creation of a brain-to-brain interface (IMM) that allows humans to control the actions of a rat as it moves through a complex maze.
This is not the first time an IMM has been used to control an animal. Previously demonstrated the ability to control the tail of a rat and even the limbs of another person.
But this is the first experience of using the IMM to perform a complex navigation task for animals, bringing the creation of systems for controlling one power of thought closer to reality.
Rat Race
The results of a study carried out at Zhejiang University are published in Scientific Reports.
First, four pairs of electrodes were implanted into the brains of six rodents, making them "rat cyborgs." Then they were trained to associate electrical stimulation with certain movements. The control was carried out remotely, through a device mounted on the back of the rat and equipped with a radio transmitter.
Then an encephalograph connected to a computer was placed on the person's head. The encephalograph picked up the brain signals, and the computer translated them into instructions - for example, "turn left" - that were sent to the rat's brain as electrical signals.
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Through this system, humans controlled rats in two tests of two types, including passing a complex maze with stairs and tunnels. The report said that "the rats passed the test successfully on ten consecutive attempts."
Mind reader
In the report, the authors do not give examples of the possible use of their device, but in their previous work they indicated that cyborg rats can be useful in search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, biomedical engineer Angus McMorland, who was not involved in the project, doubts the effectiveness of this approach.
“Is it possible with this technology to lead a rat carrying an intercom and a video camera to the survivors of the collapsed building? McMorland asks. "Yes, it might work, but remote control is more reliable."
Today, this research is presented as another step towards the creation of IMMs that can perform more complex tasks - and one day even allow for telepathic contact between people.
Vadim Tarabarko