Firing feature-driven neural circuits with scalable memristive neurons for robotic obstacle avoidance

Nat Commun. 2024 May 21;15(1):4318. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-48399-7.

Abstract

Neural circuits with specific structures and diverse neuronal firing features are the foundation for supporting intelligent tasks in biology and are regarded as the driver for catalyzing next-generation artificial intelligence. Emulating neural circuits in hardware underpins engineering highly efficient neuromorphic chips, however, implementing a firing features-driven functional neural circuit is still an open question. In this work, inspired by avoidance neural circuits of crickets, we construct a spiking feature-driven sensorimotor control neural circuit consisting of three memristive Hodgkin-Huxley neurons. The ascending neurons exhibit mixed tonic spiking and bursting features, which are used for encoding sensing input. Additionally, we innovatively introduce a selective communication scheme in biology to decode mixed firing features using two descending neurons. We proceed to integrate such a neural circuit with a robot for avoidance control and achieve lower latency than conventional platforms. These results provide a foundation for implementing real brain-like systems driven by firing features with memristive neurons and put constructing high-order intelligent machines on the agenda.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials* / physiology
  • Animals
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Gryllidae / physiology
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neural Networks, Computer*
  • Neurons* / physiology
  • Robotics* / instrumentation
  • Robotics* / methods