53. Mind-Control and Bug-Like Robots

The Next Byte Podcast · 18 Jan 2022 · 25m

What this episode covers

Daniel Farbod and Daniel discuss brain-computer interfaces from EPFL, explaining how inverse reinforcement learning allows users to control robotic arms with just 3-5 iterations by providing error signals rather than direct control commands. They then cover MIT's development of soft, bio-inspired artificial muscles for bug-sized robots, which use layered electrodes and elastic materials to achieve flight times over 20 seconds for robots under one gram, addressing durability and power constraints of traditional rigid actuators.

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