Scientists Propose Breakthrough to Make Robots ‘Think’ Like Humans

Could robots eventually think like humans? It may sound far-fetched, but researchers at King’s College London claim they have found a way to make it happen.

The researchers suggest that by providing robots with complex instructions without relying on electricity, it could free up more space in the robotic “brain,” ultimately helping them to “think.”

The team used a new type of compact circuit to deliver commands to devices, ensuring changes in pressure through a fluid inside the circuit.

This marks the first time that the idea of giving robots the ability to think has been introduced.

“By assigning tasks to different parts of the body, we create more computational space for robots to ‘think,’ making them potentially more socially aware or skilled. This could revolutionize the use of robots in areas like social care and manufacturing,” explained Dr. Antonio Forte, senior author of the study and senior lecturer in Engineering at King’s College London.

 

The Future of Thinking Robots

According to research published in *Advanced Science*, if this concept is successfully implemented, it could result in robots capable of operating in places where electric-powered devices cannot.

Researchers also highlighted that these robots could be valuable in low-income countries with unreliable access to electricity.

“To put it simply, robots consist of two main components: the brain and the body. While AI can manage complex systems, like a city’s traffic, many robots still struggle to perform basic tasks like opening a door. Why is that?” said Dr. Forte.

He continued, “In recent years, software has made significant progress, but hardware has lagged behind. By developing a hardware system independent of the software that runs it, we can alleviate much of the computational load on the hardware—much like your brain doesn’t need to consciously control your heartbeat.”

Currently, all robots depend on computer chips and electricity to function.