Hardware Podcasts

Perceiving Touch With Event-Based Neuromorphic Computing

EE Times Current · 15 Dec 2023 · 45m

What this episode covers

Dr. Simeon Bamford, a senior researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), discusses his work on neuromorphic tactile sensors and bio-inspired circuits. He details the commercialization of dynamic vision sensors (DVS) through the startup Inilabs and Innovation, and his PhD research on the Rena chip, which emulates cerebellar learning to replace brain functions damaged by stroke. The episode also features a discussion with Prof. Ralph Etienne-Cummings of Johns Hopkins University about the system-level challenges and biological parallels of these technologies.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Italian Institute of Technology, Inilabs, Innovation, Neurolink, Johns Hopkins University, University College London
Products
Dynamic Vision Sensor, Rena chip

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Next Byte Podcast · 31m

    63. Immune System Inspired AI & Electric Skin

    Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss two recent engineering breakthroughs inspired by biology. First, they cover research from the University of Michigan on 'RAILS' (Robust Adversarial Immune-inspired Learning System), which uses B-cell immune system logic to make AI image classifiers robust against adversarial attacks. Second, they analyze electronic skin developed by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and UNIST, which mimics human nerve pathways to achieve low-latency tactile sensing for robotics and prosthetics.

    AI & machine learningSensors & measurement in products
    5 chapters

  • The Next Byte Podcast · 23m

    110. The Future of Neurology: Neural Interfaces Countering Neural Diseases

    Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss NeuralTree, a neurochip developed by researchers at EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) designed to detect and counter neural disorders like epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. The chip features 256 input channels, an area of 3.5 square millimeters, and an energy-aware machine learning algorithm that allows it to operate efficiently on the edge without cloud dependency. The hosts highlight the device's ability to distinguish between healthy and irregular neural impulses, its potential for self-evolving algorithms to adapt to changing brain signals, and its broader implications for neurological research and treatment.

    Embedded firmwareMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    7 chapters

  • The Next Byte Podcast · 19m

    168. Neuroprosthetics: The Next Step Towards Limb Reconstruction

    Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from ETH Zurich on bio-inspired neuroprosthetics, which aims to replicate natural nervous system signals rather than using arbitrary computer-based pulses. The team developed a computer model called Footsim to map how real feet communicate with the brain under various stimuli, validating the model through experiments on cats and human trials. The hosts highlight that this biomimetic approach significantly improves user experience, allowing for better multitasking and reduced sensory overload compared to current state-of-the-art devices.

    Medical & health devicesSensors & measurement in products
    6 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 03m

    Jeremiah Robison from Cionic creates bionic clothing to help patients walk better

    Jeremiah Robison, founder and CEO of Psionic, explains how his daughter’s cerebral palsy diagnosis inspired the creation of the Psionic Neurosleeve, a bionic garment that uses functional electrical stimulation (FES) and surface EMG sensors to augment walking for patients with mobility impairments. Robison details the engineering challenges of replacing bulky exoskeleton motors with a non-invasive, wearable system that reads neural intent and delivers real-time stimulation to four major leg muscle groups. He discusses the company's journey from garage-based prototyping to receiving FDA clearance and selling out its initial founders program, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of reinforcing neural pathways rather than just providing passive assistance.

    Medical & health devicesPrototyping & iteration
    7 chapters

  • The Next Byte Podcast · 28m

    156. 2023 Recap & First Annual Saucies!🥫🍾

    Hosts Daniel and Forbode of The Next Byte Podcast present their 1st annual 'Saucies' awards, reviewing their top episodes from 2023. They highlight EPFL's technology allowing amputees to feel warmth in prosthetic hands, Machina's robotics for sheet metal forming, and a University of Michigan/Copenhagen Business School study on keeping humans in the AI loop. The hosts also discuss an MIT implantable diabetes device and smart retail technologies from Wevolver, while outlining goals for more in-person interviews and multi-channel growth in 2024.

    Medical & health devicesRobotics & autonomy
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by EE Times Current. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.