Making ants play video games to solve big problems with small brains
Department of Collective Behavior
What’s the project about? How do ants with tiny brains solve the massive challenges of navigating cluttered 3D environments? How do they find their way home, locate food, and forage with remarkable efficiency using such limited computational power? In this project, we aim to uncover the secrets of navigation and problem-solving in challenging environments.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, we place ants into a Matrix-like world where we can manipulate their surroundings with precision—creating complex puzzles, altering environmental cues, and observing their decisions. This unique approach allows us to explore how ants process information from ground textures, landmarks, clutter, and other environmental features, enabling manipulations that would be impossible to achieve with such precision in the real world.
This project isn’t just about ants; it’s about unlocking the fundamental principles of problem-solving and decision-making across systems.
What will you do? • Design and run experiments to test navigation and problem-solving in ants under various virtual conditions. • Create intricate puzzles and scenarios to explore the core principles of cognition. • Analyze experimental data to uncover insights into decision-making and cognitive maps. • Optionally, compare navigation strategies across species to identify common principles and differences.
Who should apply? We’re looking for curious, passionate individuals who thrive in open-ended, interdisciplinary environments. If you’re fascinated by how organisms solve problems, passionate about tinkering, puzzles, or video games, and eager to explore cognition and behavior, this is for you.
Ideal candidates
Are resourceful and excited to pick up new skills like coding, 3D printing, or data analysis.
Enjoy problem-solving in a collaborative, free-flowing environment.
Value curiosity and creativity over predefined step-by-step instructions.
What will you gain? This project offers a truly interdisciplinary experience, sitting at the crossroads of biology, electronics, hardware, DIY, computer science, and more. You’ll develop skills that apply to diverse fields—from data science to neuroethology, neuroscience, and psychology. Whether you’re interested in understanding animal behavior, pursuing cutting-edge research, or building a toolkit for solving complex problems, this project bridges the gap between disciplines to uncover something extraordinary: how tiny brains tackle immense challenges.
And who knows—you might uncover a secret no one else has, opening doors to questions and insights yet unexplored.
