Computational analysis in vitro: dynamics and plasticity of a neuro-robotic system.

When the brain interacts with the environment it constantly adapts by representing the environment in a form that is called an internal model. The neurobiological basis for internal models is provided by the connectivity and the dynamical properties of neurons. Thus, the interactions between neural tissues and external devices provide a fundamental means for investigating the connectivity and dynamical properties of neural populations.

Dynamical dimension of a hybrid neurorobotic system.

The goal of this work is to understand how neural tissue can be programed to execute predetermined functions. We developed a research tool that includes the brainstem of a lamprey and a two-wheeled robot interconnected in a closed loop. We report here the development of a framework for studying the dynamics of the neural tissue based on the interaction of this tissue with the robot.