Virtual Robots for the Simulated Brain

An important milestone for the Human Brain Project has been reached: as of today, Wednesday, 30 March, the prototypes of the six information and technology (ICT) platforms are set for release. The neurorobotics platform, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), gives scientists the chance to apply brain models to various different robots and thus conduct their own experiments. To create a computer simulation of the human brain - in simple terms, this is the aim of the Human Brain Project (HBP). The HBP, which is supported by the EU over a 10-year period, is one of the two large Future and Emerging Technologies flagship projects. The researchers pursue four sub-goals during the project: - o collate all existing data about the functioning of the brain, - o strengthen the theoretical brain research, - o develop applications, for example, in the areas of medicine or computer technology and - o develop several so-called information and technology (ICT) platforms. The technology platforms are used by the scientists as tools for analyses, developments and simulations. For example, atlases of the brain are provided or virtual behavioural experiments can be conducted.