Universal Sensory-Dependent Movements Observed Across Species: Implications for Robotics
Johns Hopkins researchers uncover shared sensory exploration patterns, from amoebas to humans, in critical breakthrough for robotics; insights may enhance search and rescue drones, space rovers, and other autonomous systems.
- Scientists at Johns Hopkins have discovered shared sensory exploration patterns, ranging from amoebas to humans, including the 'shimmying' behavior of electric knifefish to understand their surroundings.
- The research noticed differences in the knifefish's behavior based on light levels - shimmying rapidly in the dark to sense surroundings, and swaying gently with sporadic quick movements when lights were on.
- Through their observations, the research team discovered a strategy of 'mode-switching' - switching to 'explore mode' when uncertainty is high and reverting back to 'exploit mode' once uncertainty decreases.
- This sensory-dependent behavior, first observed in knifefish, was found to be consistent across amoebas, moths, cockroaches, moles, bats, mice, and humans - indicating that similar behaviors could have evolved through different mechanisms.
- Findings from this research have significant implications for robotics, potentially improving the perceptive capabilities of search and rescue drones, space rovers, and other autonomous systems.
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