Exploring Robotics as a Model for the Human Nervous System

Today in neuroscience class, I introduced the students to an EV3 robotic input-output system, aiming to draw parallels between robotics and the human nervous system.

I set up the robot with three sensors, touch, ultrasonic, and light, and programmed it with four input-output triggers. If students pushed the button, the motor would move. If they placed an object within three inches of the ultrasonic sensor, the robot would "growl." The light sensor triggered a heart display when a white surface was placed over it, and "angry eyes" when a black surface was detected.

While the button and ultrasonic sensor triggers were relatively easy for students to find, the light sensor triggers posed more of a challenge, encouraging deeper exploration.

Afterward, I prompted a discussion about how this robot system is similar to the human nervous system. We compared each robot part to neuron types, sensory, interneurons, and motor neurons, and talked about the implications of mimicking life through neural networks versus the simplicity of robotic code.

This exploration set the stage for future lessons on sensory-stimulus pathways, reflexes, and reactions, helping students understand the complexity of human input-output systems compared to robotic ones. ​ Check out some photos of the robot in action below!