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Why the insect brain is so incredible - Anna Stöckl

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TEDEd Animation

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The human brain is one of the most sophisticated organs in the world, a supercomputer made of billions of neurons that control all of our senses, thoughts, and actions. But there was something Charles Darwin found even more impressive: the brain of an ant, which he called “one of the most marvelous atoms of matter in the world.” Anna Stöckl takes us inside the tiny but mighty insect brain.

Many engineers are very interested in insect brains on account of their small size and relative simplicity. This makes them great templates for robotics, where the control elements also need to be small and efficient. Can you give an example of a complex task that an insect can perform that might be of interest to robotics engineers?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Anna Stöckl
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Director Gal Shkedi
  • Animator Gal Shkedi
  • Sound Designer Gal Shkedi
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

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