Blog: They're Robots, but Not as We Know Them; the co-evolution of the brain and body in robots

They're Robots, but Not as We Know Them
Computerworld New Zealand (12/02/08) Hedquist, Ulrika

Neural networking was the focus of the 15th International Conference on Neuro-Information Processing in Auckland. Researchers discussed how a better understanding of the brain could lead to more intelligent computer systems. According to Nik Kasabov, director of the Knowledge Engineering and Discovery Research Institute at AUT University, neuro-information processing has real-life applications in medicine, cybersecurity, and intelligent robots. Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan showed off neuro-genetic robots. "Robots are now not only based on fixed rules about how to behave, they now have genes, similar to human genes, which affect their behavior, development and learning," said Kasabov. And researchers from the German Honda Research Institutes discussed the co-evolution of the brain and body in robots, and robots that can change their shape were also on display. "They can evolve, in a similar way as [humans] evolve," said Kasabov.

View Full Article