Cat brain: A step toward the electronic equivalent

University of Michigan ^ | Apr 14, 2010 | Unknown

[decimon]

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—A cat can recognize a face faster and more efficiently than a supercomputer.

That's one reason a feline brain is the model for a biologically-inspired computer project involving the University of Michigan.

U-M computer engineer Wei Lu has taken a step toward developing this revolutionary type of machine that could be capable of learning and recognizing, as well as making more complex decisions and performing more tasks simultaneously than conventional computers can.

Lu previously built a "memristor," a device that replaces a traditional transistor and acts like a biological synapse, remembering past voltages it was subjected to. Now, he has demonstrated that this memristor can connect conventional circuits and support a process that is the basis for memory and learning in biological systems.

[B-Chan]

CORDWANIER SMITH FTW

[MamaDearest]

It's like they're thinking, "Could be food...don't risk not knowing!"

It's incredible how cat minds work. They go from sound asleep to instantly at your feet intent to learn if anything in the grocery bag is "theirs." One would swear they were like human kids (or husbands) sometimes.

[boatbums]

It's incredible how cat minds work. They go from sound asleep to instantly at your feet intent to learn if anything in the grocery bag is "theirs."

I WISH my screensaver would wake up that fast!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

[Nepeta]

The article discusses the brain of the cat processing the shortest distance to the sofa.

Anyone who knows cats and observes them knows that cats have a peculiar sense of geometry. They sometimes zig and they zag, in three dimensions, when going from A to B. The shortest distance is not always the cat path of choice.

[backhoe]

"Ballad of the Lost C-Mell"

[TheOldLady]

I have enough trouble keeping up with all the play, grooming, feeding, petting, and puke wiping up without my computer adding to the load, thank you very much.

I know for a fact that cats can’t recognize faces because they freeze in fear when anyone walks into the room until they get a whiff. IME, they recognize us by smell, not sight. Cat Fancy (or Catnip, I forget which) said that cats are very near sighted and programmed (sorry) to see movement, not details.

So... Who’s right?

[Biggirl]

I have noticed this week, even with a mature cat who I have had adopted from my local no-kill shelter, when making the decision because she had an abcess on one of her gums, she has no teeth, had a hard life, was a rescue with another cat, that sadly had since has passed on, when putting her in her carier, the “mature” lady cat acted like she was young again had put up a fight with me the first time. Was able to get her in the second time and get the help she needed. :)=^..^=

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

[Slings and Arrows]

I suspect that they use multiple senses to recognize us.

IIRC, slit pupils are very good at seeing objects in motion, lousy at seeing still objects; thus, the classic case of a cat that can track a dust mote in the air, but has a hard time finding a piece of kibble under its nose.

[martin_fierro]

[Fawn]

Hover cats? LOL

[B-Chan]

See you on Alpha Ralpha Boulevard...

[backhoe]

See you on Alpha Ralpha Boulevard...

I'll have to turn the dial up on my Mannikin Me...

Damn, I wish he still was with us- when he got rolling he could write.

[garjog]

"Cats have brains?"

[raygun]

[Sunshine Sister]

Thanks for the giant laugh! Funniest thing I have seen in a while!