Information Flow in Sensorimotor Networks

Posted 31 Oct 2006 at 19:55 UTC by steve

In a newly released paper by Olaf Sporns and Max Lungarella titled, Mapping Information Flow in Sensorimotor Networks (PDF format), the researchers confirm what many have suspected for some time. Intelligence is not simply a function of the brain. The full loop between brain, effectors, and sensors is crucial to the development of what we consider intelligent behavior. This means the shape and size of your robot must be considered when determining the behavior. Their research explains why trying to create AI in a disembodied computer is so much harder than creating intelligent robots. It also means that understanding the behavior of animals is not as simple as just studying the brain and nervous system. For more, see the recent Science Daily story or the original Indiana University news release. Roland Piquepaille also covered this story recently in his blog and has written more commentary on the research.

Main Robotics Mission for Research., posted 1 Nov 2006 at 01:47 UTC by marev » (Observer)

Complex subject but the subject to concentrate on,for sure.

No input makes Johnny 5 a dull boy.., posted 1 Nov 2006 at 10:09 UTC by slap.fish » (Journeyer)

Completely agree with this - I've argued for a long time along very similar lines.

Another take on this - what would happen to 'intelligence' should you take an intelligence, and isolate the containing vessel from it's associated sensory/feedback network ?

i.e remove someones brain and keep it alive in a jar ? (muwhaahaha, here Igor!) Would intelligence (read: consciousness/self awareness) fade away ?

I think it would. I also think this would be far more interesting use of Demijons than home brew wine - and of course a live-brain removing robot... a project for next halloween methinks...

Memories,arrr,i am not senile,honest,just progressive., posted 1 Nov 2006 at 23:18 UTC by marev » (Observer)

As before i beleive this is the research to be done,but not forgetting the distant past (like people should really forget it and move on),i remember the Judge Dredd comic and later film,in the comic they had a person in mega city one (usa) that had to serve a maximum sentence,his brain was in a liquified tank with no other body parts attached and sentenced to life of the brain itself,terrifying prospect for him and i wonder,slap.fish brought the story back to my mind,Judge Dredd,brilliant story (22nd century usa,i think!) and strict laws but robots everywhere doing the jobs for people and not taking over,like others have said they will do in the future,cheers.IN THE FUTURE STORE A PRESERVED WORKING HUMAN BRAIN IN A SELF-SUSTAINING WATER TANK AND DEVELOP EVERY OTHER ORGAINC NEED IT DESIRES AND NEEDS,I.E. ROBOTIC HUMAN ORGANIC PROPER EVOLUTION.