Embodied Cognitive Robotics and the learning of sensorimotor schemes

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 225-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Lara ◽  
Dadai Astorga ◽  
Emmanuel Mendoza-Bock ◽  
Manuel Pardo ◽  
Esaú Escobar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Cognitive Robotics ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Artificial Agents ◽  
Direct Response ◽  
Cognitive Sciences ◽  
Natural Agents ◽  
High Level

Embodied Cognitive Robotics focuses its attention on the design of artificial agents capable of performing cognitive tasks autonomously. A central issue in this consists in studying process by which agents learn through interaction with their environment. Embodied Cognitive Robotics aims to implement models of cognitive processes coming from Cognitive Sciences. The guidelines in this research area are a direct response to the shortcomings of Classical Artificial Intelligence, where high-level tasks and behaviors were studied. This article describes the work carried out in the Cognitive Robotics Laboratory at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM). Our work is based on the concept of low-level sensorimotor schemes coded by Internal Models, thus falling as a matter of course within the tenets of Embodied Cognition, particularly with the idea that cognition must be understood as occurring in agents that have a body with which they interact in a specific environment. It is through this interaction that learning emerges laying the ground for cognitive processes. Our research includes theoretical work laying the foundations of Embodied Cognitive Robotics, as well as work with artificial and with natural agents.

Probabilistic functionalism: A unifying paradigm for the cognitive sciences

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 690-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier R. Movellan ◽  
Jonathan D. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Probabilistic Analysis ◽  
Distributed Cognition ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Single Neurons ◽  
Cognitive Sciences ◽  
Probabilistic Functionalism ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Brain

The probabilistic analysis of functional questions is maturing into a rigorous and coherent research paradigm that may unify the cognitive sciences, from the study of single neurons in the brain to the study of high level cognitive processes and distributed cognition. Endless debates about undecidable structural issues (modularity vs. interactivity, serial vs. parallel processing, iconic vs. propositional representations, symbolic vs. connectionist models) may be put aside in favor of a rigorous understanding of the problems solved by organisms in their natural environments. [Shepard; Tenenbaum & Griffiths]

NMDAR PAMs: Multiple Chemotypes for Multiple Binding Sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (24) ◽  
pp. 2239-2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Goldsmith
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Allosteric Modulators ◽  
Nonselective Cation Channels ◽  
Multiple Binding Sites ◽  
Multiple Binding ◽  
Excitatory Neurotransmission ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions ◽  
High Level

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a member of the ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) family that plays a crucial role in brain signalling and development. NMDARs are nonselective cation channels that are involved with the propagation of excitatory neurotransmission signals with important effects on synaptic plasticity. NMDARs are functionally and structurally complex receptors, they exist as a family of subtypes each with its own unique pharmacological properties. Their implication in a variety of neurological and psychiatric conditions means they have been a focus of research for many decades. Disruption of NMDAR-related signalling is known to adversely affect higherorder cognitive functions (e.g. learning and memory) and the search for molecules that can recover (or even enhance) receptor output is a current strategy for CNS drug discovery. A number of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) that specifically attempt to overcome NMDAR hypofunction have been discovered. They include various chemotypes that have been found to bind to several different binding sites within the receptor. The heterogeneity of chemotype, binding site and NMDAR subtype provide a broad landscape of ongoing opportunities to uncover new features of NMDAR pharmacology. Research on NMDARs continues to provide novel mechanistic insights into receptor activation and this review will provide a high-level overview of the research area and discuss the various chemical classes of PAMs discovered so far.

scholarly journals A Review of Human–Computer Interaction and Virtual Reality Research Fields in Cognitive InfoCommunications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2646
Author(s):  
Jozsef Katona
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Research Trends ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Important Research ◽  
Cognitive Sciences ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Information And Communication

Cognitive infocommunications (CogInfoCom) is a young and evolving discipline that is at the crossroads of information and communication technology (ICT) and cognitive sciences with many promising results. The goal of the field is to provide insights into how human cognitive capabilities can be merged and extended with the cognitive capabilities of the digital devices surrounding us, with the goal of enabling more seamless interactions between humans and artificially cognitive agents. Results in the field have already led to the appearance of numerous CogInfoCom-based technological innovations. For example, the field has led to a better understanding of how humans can learn more effectively, and the development of new kinds of learning environment have followed accordingly. The goal of this paper is to summarize some of the most recent results in CogInfoCom and to introduce important research trends, developments and innovations that play a key role in understanding and supporting the merging of cognitive processes with ICT.

Constructive realism: In defense of the objective reality of perspectives

Human Affairs ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Madzia
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
John Dewey ◽  
William James ◽  
Cognitive Sciences ◽  
Objective Reality ◽  
Constructive Realism ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
The World ◽  
Epistemological Position ◽  
Epistemological Realism

AbstractThe paper proposes an outline of a reconciliatory approach to the perennial controversy between epistemological realism and anti-realism (constructionism). My main conceptual source in explaining this view is the philosophy of pragmatism, more specifically, the epistemological theories of George H. Mead, John Dewey, and also William James’ radical empiricism. First, the paper analyzes the pragmatic treatment of the goal-directedness of action, especially with regard to Mead’s notion of attitudes, and relates it to certain contemporary epistemological theories provided by the cognitive sciences (Maturana, Rizzolatti, Clark). Against this background, the paper presents a philosophical as well as empirical justification of why we should interpret the environment and its objects in terms of possibilities for action. In Mead’s view, the objects and events of our world emerge within stable patterns of organism-environment interactions, which he called “perspectives”. According to pragmatism as well as the aforementioned cognitive scientists, perception and other cognitive processes include not only neural processes in our heads but also the world itself. Elaborating on Mead’s concept of perspectives, the paper argues in favor of the epistemological position called “constructive realism.”

scholarly journals The role of cultural practices in the emergence of modern human intelligence

2008 ◽  
Vol 363 (1499) ◽  
pp. 2011-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Hutchins
Keyword(s):  
Embodied Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Human Intelligence ◽  
Symbolic Representations ◽  
High Level ◽  
Human Brains

Innate cognitive capacities are orchestrated by cultural practices to produce high-level cognitive processes. In human activities, examples of this phenomenon range from everyday inferences about space and time to the most sophisticated reasoning in scientific laboratories. A case is examined in which chimpanzees enter into cultural practices with humans (in experiments) in ways that appear to enable them to engage in symbol-mediated thought. Combining the cultural practices perspective with the theories of embodied cognition and enactment suggests that the chimpanzees' behaviour is actually mediated by non-symbolic representations. The possibility that non-human primates can engage in cultural practices that give them the appearance of symbol-mediated thought opens new avenues for thinking about the coevolution of human culture and human brains.

Seeing is believing: A common sense theory of the adoption of perception-based beliefs

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN BELL ◽  
ZHISHENG HUANG
Keyword(s):  
Common Sense ◽  
Belief Change ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Belief System ◽  
Logical Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Robotics ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Artificial Agents ◽  
Abstract Architecture

In this paper we present a formal common sense theory of the adoption of perception-based beliefs. We begin with a logical analysis of perception and then consider when perception should lead to belief change. Our theory is intended to apply to perception in humans and to perception in artificial agents at the level of the symbolic interface between a vision system and a belief system. In order to provide a context for our work we relate it to the emerging field of cognitive robotics, give an abstract architecture for an agent which is both embodied and capable of reasoning, and relate this to the concrete architectures of two vision-based surveillance systems.

scholarly journals Bibliometric analysis of the development of nanoscience research in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 113 (11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xolani Makhoba ◽  
Anastassios Pouris
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Institutional Profile ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Nanotechnology is a fast-growing scientific research area internationally and is classified as an important emerging research area. In response to this importance, South African researchers and institutions have also increased their efforts in this area. A bibliometric study of articles as indexed in the Web of Science considered the development in this field with respect to the growth in literature, collaboration profile and the research areas that are more within the country’s context. We also looked at public institutions that are more active in this arena, including government policy considerations as guided by the National Nanotechnology Strategy launched in 2005. We found that the number of nanotechnology publications have shown a remarkable growth ever since the launch of the strategy. Articles on nanotechnology have been published in numerous journals, with Electrochimica Acta publishing the most, followed by Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. These publications fall within the traditional domains of chemistry and physics. In terms of the institutional profile and based on publication outputs over the period reviewed, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is a leading producer of publications in nanotechnology, followed by the University of the Witwatersrand – institutions that are both based in the Gauteng Province. There is a high level of international collaboration with different countries within this field – the most productive collaboration is with India, followed by the USA and China, as measured through co-authorship.

scholarly journals Re-imagining Research: A Bold Call, but Bold Enough? Comment on "Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research"

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bev J. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Evidence Use ◽  
Health System Change ◽  
Health Leadership ◽  
System Leaders ◽  
Change Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Partnership Models

Many articles over the last two decades have enumerated barriers to and facilitators for evidence use in health systems. Bowen et al’s article "Response to Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers: A Call to ‘Re-imagine Research’" furthers the debate by focusing on an under-explored research area (health system design and health service organization) with an under-studied stakeholder group (health system leaders), by undertaking a broad program of research on partnerships, and, based on participant responses, by calling for re-imagining of research itself. In response to the claim that the research community is not providing expertise to this pressing issue in the health system, I provide four high level reasons: partnerships mean different things to different people, our language does not reflect the reality we want, our health systems have yet to fully embrace evidence use, and complexity is easier to talk about than act within. Bowen et al’s study, and their broader program of research, is well-placed to explore these issues further, helping identify appropriate researcher-health system leader partnership models for various health system change projects. Given the positive shifts identified in this study, and the knowledge that participants demonstrate about what needs to change, the time is right for bold action, re-imagining not only research, but healthcare, such that the production and use of evidence for better health is embraced and supported.

scholarly journals Multi-domain cognitive assessment of male mice reveals whole body exposure to space radiation is not detrimental to high-level cognition and actually improves pattern separation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody W. Whoolery ◽  
Sanghee Yun ◽  
Ryan P. Reynolds ◽  
Melanie J. Lucero ◽  
Ivan Soler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Fast Moving ◽  
Space Radiation ◽  
Pattern Separation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Functional Integrity ◽  
Brain Circuits ◽  
High Level

ABSTRACTAstronauts on interplanetary space missions - such as to Mars - will be exposed to space radiation, a spectrum of highly-charged, fast-moving particles that includes 56Fe and 28Si. Earth-based preclinical studies with mature, “astronaut-aged” rodents show space radiation decreases performance in low- and some high-level cognitive tasks. Given the prevalence of touchscreens in astronaut training and in-mission assessment, and the ability of rodent touchscreen tasks to assess the functional integrity of brain circuits and multiple cognitive domains in a non-aversive way, it is surprising the effect of space radiation on rodent touchscreen performance is unknown. To fill this knowledge gap, 6-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to whole-body space radiation and assessed on a touchscreen battery starting 1-month later. Relative to Sham, 56Fe irradiation did not overtly change performance on tasks of visual discrimination, reversal learning, rule-based, or object-spatial paired associates learning, suggesting preserved functional integrity of supporting brain circuits. Surprisingly, 56Fe irradiation led to better performance on a dentate gyrus-reliant task of pattern separation ability. Irradiated mice discriminated similar visual cues in ∼40% fewer days and ∼40% more accurately than control mice. Improved pattern separation was not touchscreen-, radiation-particle, or neurogenesis-dependent, as both 56Fe and 28Si irradiation led to faster context discrimination (e.g. Sham Block 5 vs. 56Fe Block 2) in a non-touchscreen task and 56Fe led to fewer new dentate gyrus neurons relative to Sham. These data urge revisitation of the broadly-held view that space radiation is detrimental to cognition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAstronauts on an interplanetary mission - such as to Mars - will be unavoidably exposed to galactic cosmic radiation, a spectrum of highly-charged, fast-moving particles. Rodent studies suggest space radiation is detrimental to cognition. However, here we show this is not universally true. Mature mice that received whole body exposure to Mars-relevant space radiation perform similarly to control mice on high-level cognitive tasks, reflecting the functional integrity of key neural circuits. Even more surprisingly, irradiated mice perform better than controls in both appetitive and aversive tests of pattern separation, a mission-critical task reliant on dentate gyrus integrity. Notably, improved pattern separation was not touchscreen-, radiation-particle-, or neurogenesis-dependent. Our work urges revisitation of the generally-accepted conclusion that space radiation is detrimental to cognition.

scholarly journals Simulating and Predicting Dynamical Systems with Spatial Semantic Pointers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Voelker ◽  
Peter Blouw ◽  
Xuan Choo ◽  
Nicole Sandra-Yaffa Dumont ◽  
Terrence C. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Dynamical Systems ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Deep Neural Networks ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Topological Spaces ◽  
Multiple Objects ◽  
Symbolic Structure ◽  
High Level ◽  
Vector Representations

Abstract While neural networks are highly effective at learning task-relevant representations from data, they typically do not learn representations with the kind of symbolic structure that is hypothesized to support high-level cognitive processes, nor do they naturally model such structures within problem domains that are continuous in space and time. To fill these gaps, this work exploits a method for defining vector representations that bind discrete (symbol-like) entities to points in continuous topological spaces in order to simulate and predict the behavior of a range of dynamical systems. These vector representations are spatial semantic pointers (SSPs), and we demonstrate that they can (1) be used to model dynamical systems involving multiple objects represented in a symbol-like manner and (2) be integrated with deep neural networks to predict the future of physical trajectories. These results help unify what have traditionally appeared to be disparate approaches in machine learning.

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