Method and apparatus for teleoperation, guidance and odor detection training of a freely roaming animal through brain stimulation

Abstract

Electronic components, including a transceiver for two-way wireless communications, are carried by a freely roaming animal such as a rat. Electrodes are implanted in the brain of the animal to provide cues and rewards to the animal to achieved desired behaviors, including controlling the direction and speed of movement of the animal, and training the animal to recognize odors. The electronics can include network interface components that allow a network of the animals to work together. Sensors carried by the animal provide information to a remote base-station regarding, e.g., heading and location. Other sensors, such as a video camera, microphone, and chemical or gas detector, provide information regarding an environment of the animal. The animal can carry out missions such as searching for people buried in rubble piles, law enforcement operations, and detection of explosives, chemicals or other dangerous materials. A vehicle for deploying the animal is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to the field of guiding the movement of animals and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for guiding the movement of a freely roaming animal using electric stimulation of the animal's brain, where the capabilities of the remotely guided animals are enhanced through teleoperation, guidance and odor detection training.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Existing technologies mainly involve use of unmanned vehicles to penetrate remote spaces. Remotely guided animals are far superior in their ability to locomote through difficult terrain. Unlike robots, they do not quickly run out of battery power. Moreover, animals are superior to robots because they possess native abilities that allow them to autonomously find sensory targets, including odors and other environmental features.[0005]Techniques for guiding the movement of a freely roaming animal through brain stimulation have been di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Advantageously, a remotely guided animal that is trained to search for target odors can autonomously carry electronic sensors into inaccessible or dangerous spaces to carry out a variety of missions, including searching for people buried in rubble piles, law enforcement operations, and detection of explosives, chemicals or other dangerous materials. The enhancements disclosed herein markedly increase the capability of this technology.

Problems solved by technology

Such remotely guided animals can penetrate small, dangerous and otherwise inaccessible spaces to map them, return sensor information and carry out simple tasks.

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