18-899-L4   Neurorobotics

Location: Africa

Units: 6

Semester Offered: Spring

Course discipline

ECE

Course description

Neurorobots are robots whose control is based on a model of some aspect of the operation of the brain. This course explores neurorobotics as a possible means to develop autonomous systems that have some level of biological intelligence. It will give students an understanding of intelligence in biological systems from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience and insights into how this understanding can be used to augment alternative knowledge-based approaches to the development of cognitive robots. The course is delivered through a mix of teaching, reading, and in-class discussion. Students will conduct simple neurorobotics experiments using a robot simulator to illustrate and consolidate what they have learned in class. Student progress is assessed by a series of multiple-choice tests and written individual & group assignments. 

Learning objectives

Students will be introduced to the roots of neurorobotics in cybernetics and cognitive neuroscience and some simple principles that underly emergent behavior. They will learn about the different forms of control in robotics and neuroscience. They will learn about natural and artificial neurons and networks of the neurons, how they are modeled, and how they operate. Students will be introduced to the structure of the brain, the principles of neuromorphic computing, and the principles of neurorobot design. They will learn how navigation is accomplished using neural models and they will learn how neurophysiology and psychology impact cognitive development and social cognition. They will also learn about the importance of emotion in social interaction. They will learn what the future of neurorobotics might hold and what applications might benefit from the use of neurorobotics.

Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to do the following.

  • Summarize the origins of neurorobotics in cybernetics and neuroscience.
  • Explain how principles from neuroscience provide the basis for the behavior of Braitenberg vehicles.
  • Describe the different levels of control in robotics and neuroscience.
  • Describe the structure of natural & artificial neurons and neural networks and explain formal models of their operation.
  • Outline the structure of the brain.
  • Describe the principles of neuromorphic computing.
  • Distinguish between different forms of learning in neural systems and explain their operation.
  • Explain each of the neurobot design principles.
  • Explain the principles of neurorobot navigation.
  • Discuss the neuroscience and psychology of development and social cognition.
  • Explain the importance of emotion and affect on social interaction.
  • Assess which applications in the future might benefit from adopting a neurorobotic perspective.
  • Run simple neurorobotics experiments using the Webots robot simulator.

Content details

  • The origins of neurorobotics
  • Introduction to neuroscience
  • Learning and memory
  • Reinforcement learning and prediction
  • Neurorobot design principles: action, reaction, adaptive behavior, behavioral tradeoffs
  • Neurorobotic navigation
  • Developmental and social robotics
  • The future of neurorobotics

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for taking this course, although it would be an advantage to have taken 18-799-K Artificial Cognitive Systems and 18-799-L Robotics: Principles and Practice.

Faculty

David Vernon