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Title: Neuromorphic principles for machine olfaction
Abstract Neuromorphic computing, exemplified by breakthroughs in machine vision through concepts like address-event representation and send-on-delta sampling, has revolutionised sensor technology, enabling low-latency and high dynamic range perception with minimal bandwidth. While these advancements are prominent in vision and auditory perception, their potential in machine olfaction remains under-explored, particularly in the context of fast sensing. Here, we outline the perspectives for neuromorphic principles in machine olfaction. Considering the physical characteristics of turbulent odour environments, we argue that event-driven signal processing is optimally suited to the inherent properties of olfactory signals. We highlight the lack of bandwidth limitation due to turbulent dispersal processes, the characteristic temporal and chemical sparsity, as well as the high information density of the odour landscape. Further, we critically review and discuss the literature on neuromorphic olfaction; particularly focusing on neuromorphic principles such as event generation algorithms, information encoding mechanisms, event processing schemes (spiking neural networks), and learning. We discuss that the application of neuromorphic principles may significantly enhance response time and task performance in robotic olfaction, enabling autonomous systems to perform complex tasks in turbulent environments—such as environmental monitoring, odour guided search and rescue operations, and hazard detection.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2014217
PAR ID:
10587995
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
IOP Publishing
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Neuromorphic Computing and Engineering
Volume:
5
Issue:
2
ISSN:
2634-4386
Format(s):
Medium: X Size: Article No. 023001
Size(s):
Article No. 023001
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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