Psikharpax is named after the cunning king of the rats, from a tale by Homer. European researchers believe it may push back a frontier in artificial intelligence. For decades scientists have strived to make a robot that can do more than make repetitive, programmed gestures. Such robots aren’t very helpful in the real world. But one of the biggest obstacles is learning ability. Without the smarts to figure out dangers and opportunities, a robot is helpless.

Well, this guy looks like a rat and is designed to operate like one, using all of the same sensory organs that a biological rat has. The software also acts like a real rat and is building a mental map of complex environments. Which is how rats navigate mazes so effectively.

This artificial rodent has two cameras for eyes, two microphones for ears and tiny wheels, driven by a battery-powered motor, to provide movement. A couple of dozen whiskers measure around a dozen centimetres (four inches) stretch out on either side of its long, pointed snout.

[Physorg]

This entry was posted on Monday, June 8th, 2009 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Research. Be sure to subscribe to the Botropolis.com feed because it is really, really awesome. Have something you want to share? Please let us know.

One Response to “Psikharpax The Robot Rat”

1. Botropolis | Psikharpax The Robot Rat On Video Says:
   June 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am

   [...] week we told you about Psikharpax, the robot rat with the ability to learn. Well now we have some video of the little guy in action. [...]

Leave a Reply