Researchers at the University of Reading in England have created a robot controlled entirely by a biological brain made of rat neurons.
“Gordon” contains around 60 electrodes which pick up the neurons’ signals. When the robot approaches an object the electrodes stimulate the cluster of brain cells, which then responds by turning the wheels to avoid the object.
This behavior may not seem like much, but it’s a major breakthrough in the interface of technology and biology. It’d be awfully handy to be able to grow a computer from a couple of cells.