Position tracking using multichannel neural signal analysis in a neurorobotic system

We expand here on our preliminary results from development of a new biorobotic system for advanced studies of brain machine interface development and cortical neuroprosthetics. Our overall testbed for these studies consists of a small mobile robot that is 'driven' by a trained rat operator. The rat is chronically implanted with 16-site silicon electrode arrays in sensory cortex. Single and multi-unit neural recordings are obtained simultaneously during robot movement. We call this integrated bio-mechano system the RABOT and studies using the RABOT are defined as neurabotics. With this set-up, a range of experimental paradigms is possible. Ultimately, we will train rats to move the robot towards an auditory or visual goal. In this report, we evaluate multichannel sensory recordings obtained from auditory cortex of rats in the RABOT to determine the accuracy of RABOT position while moving within a linear environment (where the robot is limited to 1-D travel up and down a single track).