# Neurons Close the Loop from Insect Perception to Action

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2025-09-09
- Length: 44m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/148363765/

## Summary

Professor Barbara Webb of the University of Edinburgh explains how she uses physical robots to validate neural mechanisms in crickets, ants, and bees, demonstrating that biological cognition requires complete sensory-motor loops. She details her work on cricket sound localization using analog electronics for precise timing, bee path integration via the central complex, and ant grasping mechanics using passive hairs. The discussion highlights the value of embodied robotics in testing biological hypotheses and inspiring efficient, low-power robotic control strategies.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=3) Introduction: Barbara Webb and the University of Edinburgh
- [3:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=209) Cricket Sound Localization and Analog Electronics
- [7:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=439) Bee Navigation and the Central Complex
- [10:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=645) Bee Waggle Dance and Vector Transformation
- [15:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=908) Ant Grasping and Mandible Hairs
- [20:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=1209) Neuromorphic Engineering and Nano-wires
- [26:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=1585) Panel Discussion: Embodiment and Robotics
- [35:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-09-09-neurons-close-the-loop-from-insect-perception-to-action#t=2151) Historical Context: Tilden, Cowan, and Neuromorphic Systems

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- University of Edinburgh (company)
- cricket (other)
- bee (other)
- ant (other)
- central complex (other)
- neuromorphic hardware (tool)
- Mark Tilden (other)
- Noah Cowan (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 154: Visual navigation in insects and robots - Andrew Philippides](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-05-01-episode-154-visual-navigation-in-insects-and-robots-andrew-philippides) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Forty-Seven: Helmut Hauser](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-05-05-episode-forty-seven-helmut-hauser) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 68: Bat-inspired robots - Rolf Mueller](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-01-12-episode-68-bat-inspired-robots-rolf-mueller) (Robot Talk)
- [233. Reading a Fish’s Mind to Build Smarter Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-11-18-233-reading-a-fishs-mind-to-build-smarter-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Episode Four - Robot Senses: perceiving the world](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2021-01-29-episode-four-robot-senses-perceiving-the-world) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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