Brain inspired object recognition system

Brain inspired object recognition system

A computer-based demo has been developed which uses brain inspired techniques to recognise objects. In the demonstration we introduce the participants to the human visual system with a particular focus on object recognition. A webcam connected to a computer is able to recognise a set of printed images, 6 animals and 6 musical instruments. The system has been designed to work in real-time and can recognise up to 3 objects simultaneously.

Furthermore, the system can learn (online) up to 6 new images/objects. These can be drawn on paper, objects at hand or even people's faces.

Notably, the system is based on the basic principles of object recognition in the visual cortex, matching experimental physiological data. It captures the hierarchical anatomical organization of the brain, and the two distinct processing pathways for 'what' and 'where' information. A short and dynamic presentation introducing these concepts can also be given.

Silicon retina system

In addition to the system described above which uses a conventional webcam to provide images of the environment, we are also developing a similar system which uses a silicon retina.

Sponsor

The COLAMN Project.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

STEM Ambassadors

Both Salvador and James are STEM Ambassadors. For more information about this scheme please see the documents below:

  • STEM Ambassador flyer
  • STEM Ambassador Fact Sheet
  • News

    University of Plymouth logo

    Brighton Science Festival 2011

    We recently represented the University of Plymouth at the closing event of this year's Science Festival in Brighton (Sunday the 6th of March 2011). The open day "Of All the Nerve" attracted more than 250 visitors aged from eight to 80 to the Sallis Benney Theatre in Brighton.

    Throughout the day attendees interacted with our brain-inspired hard- and software systems.

    In the evening Dr Wennekers gave a public talk about the relation between Brains and Technology. The talk addressed how we can learn from mechanisms of information processing in the brain to build future computers, and how technology can be used in applications like retina implants or brain-machine interfaces

    The festival was funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust to Richard Robinson, Jonathan Bacon, and Jamie Ward

    National Science and Engineering Week 2011

    During the first half of National Science and Engineering Week (11-20 March 2011) we took our system to two schools, one in Crediton and one in Plympton.

    In the second half of the week we took part in Meet the Scientist events run by Brian Duke in Dorset.