Project description
Designing robots with active vision
Computer vision has made incredible progress thanks to deep learning, but it mostly relies on static image datasets. This passive vision approach limits its ability to handle real-world, dynamic environments. In contrast, biological vision actively explores surroundings to better understand objects. Despite its potential, active vision remains underused in robotics. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ENDEAVOR project will change this by combining bioinspired models with event-driven perception and neuromorphic computing. Using the humanoid robot iCub, it integrates sensory and motor actions to actively explore objects. This approach reduces energy use, speeds up processing and minimises data storage. ENDEAVOR’s work could transform robotics, making intelligent systems faster, smarter and more efficient.
Objective
"Computer vision, leveraging deep learning in the last decade, has achieved unprecedented progress. However, it is largely relying on datasets of still images, thus using ""passive vision"". On the contrary, biological vision is a fundamentally active process of exploration to disambiguate objects, and yet, the potential of active vision for robotics remains underexplored.
The ENDEAVOR project seeks to redefine traditional static image analysis within fast online robotic applications.
This project integrates the computational models of Sensorimotor Contingency Theory (O'Regan and Noe, 2001) with event-driven perception and neuromorphic computing. Sensorimotor contingency represents the dynamic relationship between an agent's sensory inputs and motor actions in the environment.
Active sensory data generation naturally aligns with event-driven perception, tracking moving objects via agent-generated events, while neuromorphic computing minimises latency and energy use.
The humanoid robot iCub will hold objects and examine them from various perspectives through eye and wrist movements. The project capitalises on bioinspired hardware and software solutions, ultimately aiming to reduce computational demands, power consumption, and latency in intelligent systems.
ENDEAVOR offers three significant contributions to computer vision and robotics: (1) It introduces active vision strategies that enhance object perception. (2) It integrates event-based visual sensing with rapid and efficient parallel computation, leveraging neuromorphic computing principles. (3) The project establishes a benchmark that allows for both qualitative and quantitative evaluations, fostering comparisons among various approaches, including frame-based, event-based, and spiking-based systems.
The importance of this approach lies in the effort to reduce the storage of massive amounts of data while aiming for mW of power consumption."
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
160 00 PRAHA
Czechia
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.