Brain-mimicking neuron moves robots closer to human-like control

Scientists from Loughborough University, in collaboration with the Salk Institute and the University of Southern California, have developed an artificial transneuron that closely mimics the electrical activity of neurons from different regions of the macaque brain. Unlike traditional artificial neurons that perform a single function, this transneuron can switch between roles related to vision, planning, and movement by adjusting its electrical properties in real time. It reproduces brain pulse patterns with up to 100% accuracy and responds dynamically to environmental changes such as pressure and temperature, suggesting potential applications in sensory systems and energy-efficient computing. The transneuron’s functionality is enabled by a nanoscale memristor component, which physically alters its internal structure as electricity flows, allowing it to generate diverse electrical pulses without relying on software. This hardware-based adaptability allows the device to process information similarly to biological neurons, including responding differently to multiple simultaneous inputs based on their timing—capabilities that typically require multiple artificial neurons. The researchers envision building networks of these trans