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Predictive processes for intelligent behaviours, sensory enhancement and subjective experiences in robots

Project description

Adaptive self-aware robots

Robotics is increasingly focusing on autonomous adaptive and learning systems that can interact with people in a predictable and intuitive manner. Currently, these technologies depend on the explicit design of robots using pre-engineered models. To become independent and adapt quickly to situations unforeseen by their creators, it's crucial for robots to learn to anticipate the sensory consequences of intended actions. The EU-funded Predictive Robots project addresses this challenge by developing techniques for curiosity-driven exploration behaviours that are typical of infant development. Conducted on humanoid robots and marine drones, the project also envisions creating an artificial self with perceptual skills and subjective experiences.

Objective

Current robot technologies are still not enough autonomous and adaptive to safely and intuitively interact with people. Nowadays, artificial systems mostly rely on pre-engineered models of the world and of their embodiment. Defining such models a-priori can be very challenging and may result in robots lacking the capability to react to situations that are not foreseen by their designers. The forthcoming societal needs and economic opportunities for robotics require smarter, more adaptive and self-aware artificial systems. This project addresses this challenge by developing new methods: (1) for the autonomous acquisition of models of the robot’s body inspired on infant development, where online deep learning techniques are integrated within curiosity-driven exploration strategies for high-dimensional task spaces; (2) for the enhancement of robots’ perceptual skills based on predictive processes, such as visual input enhancement through the attenuation of expected perceptions of self-body movements; (3) for studying possibilities of an artificial Self and of providing subjective experiences to robots. The core of the proposed research lays on predictive models learned through exploration behaviours typical of infants’ development. Predictive robots will be capable of anticipating sensory consequences of intended actions. This research has a broad range of applications - such as low-cost improvement of current sensing technologies - and can advance the understanding of brain processes behind particular phenomena - such as the sense of object permanence, memory, self-awareness and sense of agency - beside providing insights for their implementation into artificial systems. The research project will be conducted on humanoid robots and marine drones at the BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

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Coordinator

SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO S ANNA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 183 473,28
Address
PIAZZA MARTIRI DELLA LIBERTA 33
56127 PISA
Italy

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Region
Centro (IT) Toscana Pisa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 183 473,28
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