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Flexible couplings: diffusing neuromodulators and adaptive robotics
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 08:51 authored by Andy PhilippidesAndy Philippides, Phil HusbandsPhil Husbands, Tom Smith, Michael O'SheaRecent years have seen the discovery of freely diffusing gaseous neurotransmitters, such as nitric oxide (NO), in biological nervous systems. A type of artificial neural network (ANN) inspired by such gaseous signaling, the GasNet, has previously been shown to be more evolvable than traditional ANNs when used as an artificial nervous system in an evolutionary robotics setting, where evolvability means consistent speed to very good solutions¿here, appropriate sensorimotor behavior-generating systems. We present two new versions of the GasNet, which take further inspiration from the properties of neuronal gaseous signaling. The plexus model is inspired by the extraordinary NO-producing cortical plexus structure of neural fibers and the properties of the diffusing NO signal it generates. The receptor model is inspired by the mediating action of neurotransmitter receptors. Both models are shown to significantly further improve evolvability. We describe a series of analyses suggesting that the reasons for the increase in evolvability are related to the flexible loose coupling of distinct signaling mechanisms, one ¿chemical¿ and one ¿electrical.¿
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- Published
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- Published version
Journal
Artificial LifeISSN
1064-5462Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology PressExternal DOI
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1-2Volume
11Page range
139-160Pages
22.0Department affiliated with
- Informatics Publications
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- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-03-22First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-11-10Usage metrics
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