British scientists are to enlist the help of a humanoid robot with a synthesised brain to study the process of human cognition and explore the world of artificial intelligence.
The robot, named iCub, was recently acquired by Imperial College London's Department of Computing and Electrical and Electronic Engineering and will spend the next few years being as human-like as possible.
Professor Murray Shanahan said that studying iCub's interactions with its environment is an important part of understanding human cognition.
"Nature developed cognition for us in order to make us better at interacting with the physical and social world. If we want to understand the nature of cognition better then we really need to understand it in the context of something that moves or interacts with objects. That is where iCub can help us."
The robot has 53 joints that can be controlled independently, allowing it to make "very human-like movements", Shanahan said. However, the real challenge arises in getting iCub to decide what movements to perform on its own. "This is where cognition comes in", Shanahan said.
Scientists will connect iCub's physical body to an electronic brain that simulates thoughts. "We're particularly interested in using spiking neurons to control the robot, and those are the neurons whose signalling properties are quite similar to those of real biological brains."
Shanahan continued: "I'm really interested in the fundamental scientific questions about ourselves and about the nature of our own brains. If we can test our theories about cognition by building and experimenting with robots, then we may just be one step closer to really beginning to understand what makes us tick."
Researchers suggest that their work may ultimately lead to useful robotic applications in the future. "We are really interested in making robots more empathetic to our needs. Imagine owning a robot like iCub who could be intelligent enough to understand that you are struggling to lift a heavy box and it helps you to carry it," said Dr Yiannis Demiris, who also works at the university.
Although there are many years of development ahead, Shanahan believes there may be medical applications for their findings. "Certainly, if our computer models are good, then in the future they could help us to understand the basis of neurological disorders."
iCub resembles a small child at about three years of age. In its raw form the robot looks akin to the ‘naked' C-3PO from Star Wars Episode One, but takes on an eerily life-like, porcelain doll appearance when its covers are worn.
The robot, named iCub, was recently acquired by Imperial College London's Department of Computing and Electrical and Electronic Engineering and will spend the next few years being as human-like as possible.
Professor Murray Shanahan said that studying iCub's interactions with its environment is an important part of understanding human cognition.
"Nature developed cognition for us in order to make us better at interacting with the physical and social world. If we want to understand the nature of cognition better then we really need to understand it in the context of something that moves or interacts with objects. That is where iCub can help us."
The robot has 53 joints that can be controlled independently, allowing it to make "very human-like movements", Shanahan said. However, the real challenge arises in getting iCub to decide what movements to perform on its own. "This is where cognition comes in", Shanahan said.
Scientists will connect iCub's physical body to an electronic brain that simulates thoughts. "We're particularly interested in using spiking neurons to control the robot, and those are the neurons whose signalling properties are quite similar to those of real biological brains."
Shanahan continued: "I'm really interested in the fundamental scientific questions about ourselves and about the nature of our own brains. If we can test our theories about cognition by building and experimenting with robots, then we may just be one step closer to really beginning to understand what makes us tick."
Researchers suggest that their work may ultimately lead to useful robotic applications in the future. "We are really interested in making robots more empathetic to our needs. Imagine owning a robot like iCub who could be intelligent enough to understand that you are struggling to lift a heavy box and it helps you to carry it," said Dr Yiannis Demiris, who also works at the university.
Although there are many years of development ahead, Shanahan believes there may be medical applications for their findings. "Certainly, if our computer models are good, then in the future they could help us to understand the basis of neurological disorders."
iCub resembles a small child at about three years of age. In its raw form the robot looks akin to the ‘naked' C-3PO from Star Wars Episode One, but takes on an eerily life-like, porcelain doll appearance when its covers are worn.
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