Robot 'brain' chip unleashes physical potential of machines

Artificial intelligence researchers are building customized "brains" for robots in an attempt to make them faster, stronger and more aware of their surroundings. A team from MIT and Harvard University claim that their hyper-specific computer chips will allow robots to realise their immense physical potential by factoring in the exact physical layout of the machines, much like a brain functions within a human body. "The motors are fast, and they're powerful. The hang up is what's going on in the robot's head," said Sabrina Neuman, the lead researcher from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). By taking into account the hardware setup of the robot, such as its physical layout and sensing capabilities, the chips could allow humanoid robots to interact more naturally with humans and perform previously impossible tasks.