Hydrogels Demonstrate Learning Capabilities by Playing Pong

Researchers show that non-living hydrogels can improve their performance in the classic video game Pong by utilizing a form of physical memory.

Hydrogels were interfaced with a computer simulation of Pong using a multi-electrode array.
The material's accuracy improved by up to 10% with practice, resulting in longer rallies.
The hydrogel's 'memory' is attributed to the movement of charged ions in response to electrical stimulation.
This research opens new possibilities for developing simpler, adaptive AI systems.
Future studies will explore the hydrogel's potential to perform other tasks and understand its memory mechanisms.