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The SpikerBot App

Welcome to the SpikerBot App – the neural network simulator that powers the SpikerBot. Design and test custom brains in real-time on multiple platforms.
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1. How The App Works​

  • Drag & Drop: Pick neurons from the left panel and drop them into the brain area.
  • Connect: Drag the handle that appears under selected neurons to form synapses.
  • Activate: Press Play to let your brain control the robot.

App Screenshot

2. Neurons Overview​

  • Activity Mode: Neurons may be quiet or spontaneously active, generating spikes individually or in bursts.
  • Synaptic Polarity: They can either excite or inhibit their targets.

3. Neural Circuits​

3.1 Recurrent Excitation​

Feedback loops reinforce activity to sustain behaviors like memory or rhythmic movements. Disruptions in these loops have been linked to neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

Recurrent Excitation

3.2 Lateral Inhibition​

Interconnected neurons suppress each other, ensuring only the strongest signals come through. This sharpens sensory perception and aids in decision-making, while impairments are associated with conditions like ADHD and autism.

Lateral Inhibition

4. How To Build Brains​

  1. Define Behavior: Identify the target behavior.
  2. Decompose: Break it into key components.
  3. Design the Network:
    • Select neuron types (quiet/bursting, excitatory/inhibitory).
    • Connect sensors (color, object, location, distance).
    • Link neurons to effectors (motors, lights, speaker).
    • Wire neurons together.
  4. Apply Inhibition: Use inhibitory connections to prevent conflicts.

5. Examples​

Each example below pairs a behavior with a corresponding brain design:

Example 1: Avoid Obstacles​

Example: Avoid Obstacles
A single neuron responds to distance detection, driving both wheels backward. Red lights and the speaker are also activated.
Download Brain

Example 2: Approach Targets​

Example: Approach Targets
Two neurons respond to green stimuli on the left or right, driving the opposite wheel forward, with green lights and speaker activation.
Download Brain

Example 3: Explore​

Example: Explore
Five spontaneously active neurons drive the wheels in various directions, while a neuron activated by distance detection drives both wheels backward.
Download Brain

Example 4: Greet Nearby People​

Example: Greet Nearby People
Two neurons respond to people and distance; their weak synapses converge on a third neuron that triggers five neurons for lights and tones.
Download Brain
Video: Watch Here

Example 5: Sustained Movement​

Example: Sustained Movement
A recurrent circuit drives the wheels forward. A neuron activated by green initiates the circuit, and an inhibitory neuron stops it when red is detected.
Download Brain

Example 6: Make Decisions​

Example: Make Decisions
Two recurrent circuits control forward and backward movement. Neurons responsive to green and red activate left-turning or right-turning circuits respectively, with lateral inhibition preventing conflict.
Download Brain

Example 7: Search for Green​

Example: Search for Green
A network of eight excitatory neurons and one inhibitory neuron drives exploratory behavior until the color green is detected.
Download Brain

Example 8: Chase Red​

Example: Chase Red
A hierarchical network of fourteen excitatory and two inhibitory neurons defaults to exploratory behavior, switching to approach behavior upon detecting red, and continuing until close-range proximity is sensed.
Download Brain

Example 9: Escape​

Example: Escape
One neuron detects near distance and makes the robot turn around, while also activating a delay neuron. After 1 second the delay neuron activates a recurrent circuit that drives the wheels forward until near-distance activates an inhibitory neuron that deactivates the recurrent circuit.
Download Brain

6. Troubleshooting​

  1. No Response from Robot: Ensure the robot is turned on and adequately charged.
  2. Wi-Fi Issues: Connect to the correct robot's Wi-Fi network; the robot’s lights should change from blue to green upon a successful connection.