Scientists have created a robot that can detect smells as if it were a living being

robots They have progressed by leaps and bounds in recent years thanks to the emergence and implementation of new technologies. The latest refinement of these machines has made it possible to create a specimen capable of perceiving odors as if it were a living being. A group of scientists were able to reproduce the sense of smell using a composition of insect antennae and artificial intelligence.

As noted by the portal Neurology NewsThis project was carried out by researchers from Sagol School of Neurology at Tel Aviv University. The work was supervised Neta Shvilgraduate student at this institution and included other members such as Dr. Ben Maoz from the Fleishman College of Engineering and professors Yossi Yovel D Amir Ayali Faculty of Zoology.

A new feat of robotics

The original report mentions how the scientists involved in this project were able to recreate the sense of smell of living beings in robot. As stated, this odor detection technology will be the most advanced of its kind and 10,000 times better than other devices or technology products specialized in this particular field.

To make it work, the researchers developed a platform “biohybrid” which uses biological sensors connected directly to the machine’s electronic systems. Thanks to this and artificial intelligence algorithms, it was possible to successfully build a robot capable of distinguishing smells like no other device to date.

But that is not all. To make the biohybrid system work, the study authors used antennas taken from desert locust and later, these biological parts were connected to other electronic systems capable of measuring the amount of electrical signal that antennas produce when smells are detected. The device has been associated with AI to give the robot the ability to distinguish between odors based on their output.

Using all this data, the researchers were able to create a system that successfully distinguished eight clear odors that our olfactory system recognizes, including geranium, marzipan and lemon.

Why does a robot need to be able to smell?

The study explains that the technology developed for this robot It works much like the human senses: the stimulus is perceived by the sense organ, and the brain converts it into electrical impulses for subsequent decoding of the data. “Nature is much more developed than we are, so we must use it. The principle we have demonstrated can be used and applied to other senses such as sight and touch…”mentioned Dr. Ben Maoz.

The application of this system in robots it can perform feats such as detecting drugs and explosives, eradicating pests in the agricultural sector, and even identifying cancer cells. “For example, some animals have amazing abilities to detect explosives or drugs; building a robot with a biological nose could help us save human life and identify criminals in a way that is not possible today. Some animals are able to determine the disease. Others can perceive earthquakes. The sky is the limitconcluded maoz.

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