Design for Information Processing in Living Neuronal Networks
A neurorobot is a model system for biological information processing with vital components and the artificial peripheral system. As a central processing unit of the neurorobot, a dissociated culture system possesses a simple and functional network comparing to a whole brain; thus, it is suitable for exploration of spatiotemporal dynamics of electrical activity of a neuronal circuit. The behavior of the neurorobot is determined by the response pattern of neuronal electrical activity evoked by a current stimulation from outer world. “Certain premise rules” should be embedded in the relationship between spatiotemporal activity of neurons and intended behavior. As a strategy for embedding premise rules, two ideas are proposed. The first is “shaping,” by which a neuronal circuit is trained to deliver a desired output. Shaping strategy presumes that meaningful behavior requires manipulation of the living neuronal network. The second strategy is “coordinating.” A living neuronal circuit is regarded as the central processing unit of the neurorobot. Instinctive behavior is provided as premise control rules, which are embedded into the relationship between the living neuronal network and robot. The direction of self-tuning process of neurons is not always suitable for desired behavior of the neurorobot, so the interface between neurons and robot should be designed so as to make the direction of self-tuning process of the neuronal network correspond with desired behavior of the robot. Details of these strategies and concrete designs of the interface between neurons and robot are be introduced and discussed in this chapter.