Artificial intelligence made by Google mimics human brain cells used for navigation — and takes shortcuts

Key points:

Artificial intelligence was trained to navigate between two points in a 2.2 by 2.2-metre square It developed “grid cells” very similar to those found in the mammalian brain, even though they weren’t programmed to appear The work suggests grid cells in mammals are important in planning routes as well as keeping track of current location

If you have to walk a different route to the shops, it’s normally not too much of a stretch to consult our ‘inner satnav’ and chart a new course

That’s because the human brain has a range of built-in mechanisms that help you find your way.

But the underlying brain computation that goes into even simple navigation, such as planning the most direct route between points A and B, remains pretty murky.

Now, neuroscientists can unpick the navigational circuitry of the human brain by looking at artificial versions.

more…

Tau.Neutrino said:

Artificial intelligence made by Google mimics human brain cells used for navigation — and takes shortcuts

Key points:

Artificial intelligence was trained to navigate between two points in a 2.2 by 2.2-metre square It developed “grid cells” very similar to those found in the mammalian brain, even though they weren’t programmed to appear The work suggests grid cells in mammals are important in planning routes as well as keeping track of current location

If you have to walk a different route to the shops, it’s normally not too much of a stretch to consult our ‘inner satnav’ and chart a new course

That’s because the human brain has a range of built-in mechanisms that help you find your way.

But the underlying brain computation that goes into even simple navigation, such as planning the most direct route between points A and B, remains pretty murky.

Now, neuroscientists can unpick the navigational circuitry of the human brain by looking at artificial versions.

more…

> neuroscientists can unpick the navigational circuitry of the human brain by looking at artificial versions

That’s good, but don’t use it as a replacement for a good navigation algorithm.