TORTOISE WITH MECHANICAL BRAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22572, 27 February 1948, Page 5

TORTOISE WITH MECHANICAL BRAIN

(10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26. An American brain expert, Dr. Grey Walter, of Burger Neurological Institute, Bristol, has invented a toy tortoise with a mechanical brain. He challenges anybody to tell it is not allv@ without close observation. The tortoise’s brain consists of an arrangement of miniature radio valves, miniature microphones to pick up sound and photo-electric cells to recognise colour and shape, instruments to register temperature and a small motor. Dr. Walter’s tortoise dislikes cold, damp weather, great heat and bright lights. It moans in 40 degrees temperature and runs towards a source of normal heat. It nestles against Dr. Walter’s leg and comes to heel or begs at the sound of his voice. The tortoise generally likes women but dislikes men. It will investigate when the doorbell rings, purring if the visitor has silk stockings and sneaking away if it sees a suit. Dr. Walter says the tortoise can be mass-produced as easily as a toy train. Modern instruments are at least as responsive, accurate and adaptable as a simple animal, he says, and some have fantastically high intelligence.