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NEUro cerebellar recurrent network for motor SEQuence learning in neuroroBOTics

Project description

Studying the brain to design human-like robotic arms

Biologically inspired robots are designed to interact with humans in unstructured environments. Their control systems can be developed based on human brain regions like the cerebellum that controls and coordinates body movements. The EU-funded NEUSEQBOT project will focus on the nucleo-olivary connections in the cerebellum. It will study how they contribute to the motor sequence learning capabilities in the cerebellum. Specifically, the project will investigate the nucleo-cortical connection effect in cerebellar dynamics during reflexive eyelid movements in optogenetically modified mice. The aim is to develop a model that will be tested in a neurorobotic accurate manipulator movement task using a compliant robotic arm. Overall, the project will advance our knowledge of cerebellum processes and use it to develop biologically inspired control systems for neurorobotic applications with compliant robots.

Objective

The new generation of compliant robots, designed to safely interact with humans in unstructured environments, require control systems able to naturally deal with their “biological features”. These robots can be efficiently controlled using biologically inspired control systems based on brain regions such as the cerebellum. This nucleus plays a key role in fluent body movements, being essential for adaptive motor control and coordination of body movements.
The cerebellum was traditionally modelled as a feedforward network with two inputs and one output. Nevertheless, recent experimental studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple recurrent connections in the cerebellum: 1) nucleo-cortical connections (NCCs), and 2) nucleo-olivary connections (NOCs). These recurrent connections back-propagate the cerebellar output activity to the cerebellar inputs, thus shifting the feedforward toward a recurrent approach. NEUSEQBOT project will focus on the NCCs, studying how they contribute to the motor sequence learning capabilities in the cerebellum. This multidisciplinary study will combine neuroscientific experiments in animals, cerebellar modelling and neurorobotic applications. Firstly, we will experimentally study the NCC effect in the cerebellar dynamics during reflexive eyelid movements in optogenetically modified mice. The experimental results will be used to model a recurrent cerebellum. Finally, this cerebellar model will be tested in a neurorobotic object manipulation task using a compliant robotic arm.
Within the objectives of H2020, NEUSEQBOT project aims to advance our understanding of how the cerebellum (as a recurrent network) processes the sensorimotor information to generate the required motor command sequences, applying this knowledge to develop biologically inspired control systems for neurorobotic applications with compliant robots. This work will enable the experienced researcher to enhance his position at the forefront of advances in these fields.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

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Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DE GRANADA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 245 732,16
Address
CUESTA DEL HOSPICIO SN
18071 GRANADA
Spain

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Region
Sur Andalucía Granada
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 245 732,16

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