Biological and simulated neuronal networks show similar competence on a visual tracking task

Abstract

Biological neuronal networks can be embodied in closed-loop robotic systems, with electromechanical hardware providing the neurons with the ability to interact with a real environment. Due to the difficulties of maintaining biological networks, it is useful to have a simulation environment in which pilot experiments can be run and new software can be tested. A simulator for cultured mouse neurons is described, and used to simulate neurons in a closed-loop robotic system. The results are compared to results from a similar experiment using biological neurons.