Israeli Professor Develops Human-Like Robots and Neuro-Morphic Computing for Future AI Applications
Elishi Ezra-Tzur, an associate professor at the Open University of Israel and head of the Neuro-Biomorphic Engineering Lab, is pioneering the development of robots with brains modeled after the human brain. He predicts that by 2030, robots will be integrated into everyday environments, such as autonomous cars dominating San Francisco streets and fully robotic restaurants in Japan. Unlike current AI chatbots, his research focuses on physical robots capable of sensing, mapping, and interacting with the world, potentially achieving a form of machine consciousness.
Ezra-Tzur’s lab collaborates with industry leaders like Tesla, Elbit, and Elin on projects including a robotic hand for wheelchair users that assists with daily tasks, autonomous driving systems that detect road hazards, and the creation of the first full neuro-morphic computer. This computer mimics neural activity to enable machines to learn and adapt more like humans, offering advantages such as lower energy consumption and error correction during operation.
His unconventional academic path began after leaving a yeshiva at age 15; he holds seven degrees spanning literature, bioengineering, neuroscience, and computer science. He emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary education and is launching a new degree in "Applied Intelligent Systems" at the Open University to train engineers who understand both AI and its physical applications.
Ezra-Tzur also studies human vision through neuro-morphic models that explain optical illusions and individual perception differences, aiming to better understand how the brain processes visual information. His work extends to ethical considerations in AI, with mandatory courses on AI ethics for his students.
Looking ahead, he foresees neuro-morphic computing as key to advancing robotics and AI, with commercial applications expected within two to three years. While he acknowledges that robots may never match humans in artistic expression like ballet, he envisions practical robots handling everyday chores, improving quality of life and accessibility for people with disabilities.
