Cognitive Science: Understanding Situated Cognition and Robotics
40 Questions
4 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the fundamental reason behind the difficulty in weather prediction, according to the concept of chaos theory?

  • The lack of ecologically valid problems in weather modeling
  • The sensitivity of weather patterns to initial conditions (correct)
  • The complexity of nonlinear systems
  • The inability to model the behavior of insects

    • What is the primary mechanism by which female crickets recognize and locate their mates?

  • Vibration-based movement toward the source of the sound (correct)
  • Auditory identification of the cricket's song, followed by motor command generation
  • Olfractory detection of pheromones
  • Phonotaxis, through the calculation of sound direction

    • What is the term for the study of robots that mimic the behavior of living organisms, such as the robot crickets built by Barbara Webb?

  • Ecological robotics
  • Biorobotics (correct)
  • Robotics-based ecology
  • Biologically-inspired robotics

    • What is the advantage of studying insects, according to situated cognition theorists?

    <p>Insects can provide a simplified and ecologically valid model for understanding organism-environment interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of nonlinear systems that makes them difficult to model and predict?

    <p>Their sensitivity to initial conditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon can be observed when the appearance of a robot is made more human-like, but not quite identical?

    <p>Uncanny valley effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a potential application of xenobots?

    <p>Studying the principles of chaos theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of xenobots that makes them suitable for ecologically valid problems?

    <p>Their fully biodegradable nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a xenobot is cut in half?

    <p>It stitches itself back up and continues to function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential application of xenobots in the field of environmental conservation?

    <p>Searching out and breaking down harmful compounds or radioactive wastes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key characteristic of situated creatures, according to Brooks?

    <p>They are embedded in the world and interact directly with their sensors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between symbolic architectures and behavior-based architectures?

    <p>Symbolic architectures have a central planning system, while behavior-based architectures do not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the type of map used by the TOTO robot to identify the shortest route between landmarks?

    <p>Topological map</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following systems is an example of an embodied but not situated system, according to Brooks?

    <p>Assembly line robot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of behavior-based robots over subsumption architectures?

    <p>They are more flexible and adaptable to changing environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a fundamental limitation of traditional GOFAI approach to artificial agents, like SHAKEY?

    <p>Lack of embedding in real-life environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of the dynamical systems-like approach to robotics proposed by situated cognition theorists?

    <p>Emergence of behaviors from complex interactions between the organism and its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an ecologically valid problem that a traditional AI system, like SHAKEY, cannot solve?

    <p>Analyzing a novel photo of a person in a room with a banana just out of reach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of the PLANEX system, according to the text?

    <p>Monitoring the execution of a plan and calculating the degree of error</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of the STRIPS planner, similar to Newell and Simon’s General Problem Solver?

    <p>Use of means-end analysis to translate goals into actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of complex systems that emerge from interactions between agents and their environment?

    <p>Self-organizing and emergent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a nonlinear system, a small change in input can result in what kind of output?

    <p>A wildly different output</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do nonlinear systems often appear chaotic to us?

    <p>Because we cannot track the changes in input</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the phenomenon where small changes in initial conditions can lead to drastically different outcomes?

    <p>The butterfly effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of dynamical models used to understand complex systems?

    <p>They employ calculus-based methods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of using morphological computation in robotics?

    <p>It reduces the need for complex algorithms and representations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fundamental principle behind subsumption architectures in robotics?

    <p>Intelligence aggregates from the bottom up</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key characteristic of the Yokoi hand that enables it to adapt to different object shapes?

    <p>Its construction from elastic and deformable materials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea behind the concept of subsumption architectures in robotics?

    <p>Robots can operate using simple stimulus-response mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of using robots with subsumption architectures in real-world environments?

    <p>They can operate effectively in dynamic and uncertain environments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of subsumption architectures that enables robots to respond immediately to sensory input?

    <p>Direct perception-action links</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do subsumption architectures mimic the process of evolution?

    <p>By adding layers to the architecture over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the obstacle-avoidance layer in a subsumption architecture?

    <p>To sense and respond to obstacles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the criticism of subsumption architecture robots that they do not involve decision-making processes?

    <p>They do not have a central controller</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the response to the criticism that subsumption architecture robots do not involve decision-making processes?

    <p>Using hybrid architectures that combine subsumption and symbolic AI</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using subsumption architectures for low-level reactive control?

    <p>They enable the robot to respond quickly to its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of subsumption architectures that allows them to operate without a centralized controller?

    <p>Semi-autonomous subsystems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between the obstacle-avoidance layer and other layers in a subsumption architecture?

    <p>Other layers can override the obstacle-avoidance layer in certain situations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between subsumption architectures and symbolic architectures?

    <p>Subsumption architectures are more embodied and situated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using subsumption architectures for tasks that require immediate motor responses?

    <p>They enable the robot to respond quickly to its environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Weather Prediction and Initial Conditions

    • Sensitivity to initial conditions makes weather prediction inherently challenging.
    • Small changes can have significant impacts, illustrated by the concept of the "butterfly effect."

    Situated Cognition and Robotics

    • Situated cognition theorists advocate for a dynamical systems-like approach in robotics research.
    • Emphasis on beginning with basic, ecologically valid problems, such as studying insect behavior for insights into organism-environment interactions.
    • Insects, like crickets, exhibit natural intelligence by directly connecting sensory receptors to motor actions without complex computation.
    • Barbara Webb developed robotic crickets that can autonomously identify sound sources using basic hardwiring rather than advanced identification mechanisms.

    Xenobots and Applications

    • Xenobots are biologically created from living cells, capable of self-organization and movement.
    • Collective behavior allows xenobots to transport objects and even heal when damaged.
    • Potential uses for xenobots include targeted drug delivery, removing arterial plaque, environmental remediation, and understanding complex biological behaviors.

    Uncanny Valley Effect

    • The uncanny valley effect occurs when humanoid robots that closely resemble humans evoke unease or revulsion.
    • As robot appearance improves, emotional responses can turn initially positive until a threshold is crossed, leading to negative reactions.

    Situated vs. Embodied Cognition

    • Situated cognition refers to organisms interacting with their environment without abstract descriptions.
    • Embodied cognition emphasizes physical presence and sensory experiences within the environment.
    • Examples include airline reservation systems (situated) vs. assembly line robots (embodied).

    Dynamical Systems and Nonlinear Dynamics

    • Dynamical systems modeling aids in understanding interactions between agents and their environments.
    • Nonlinear dynamics imply that minor input changes can lead to vastly different outcomes, demonstrating sensitivity in systems deemed chaotic.
    • Perception of motion and grasping exemplifies feedback mechanisms that refine immediate actions, reinforcing the complexity of behavior.

    Morphological Computation in Robotics

    • Morphological computation integrates processing into the physical design of robots, simplifying operations based on body shape.
    • The Yokoi hand exemplifies this by adjusting to object shapes without extensive computation.

    Subsumption Architectures

    • Subsumption architectures, as defined by Rodney Brooks, utilize simple stimulus-response mechanisms rather than complex algorithms.
    • Knowledge and behavior arise from bottom-up organization through reflexive responses to environmental stimuli.
    • Essential layers prioritize immediate responses, such as obstacle avoidance, alongside higher-level tasks, maintaining function even in dynamic environments.
    • Semi-autonomous subsystems allow for independent operation, lacking a central controller, promoting direct perception-action links.

    Challenges in Defining Intelligence in Robots

    • Debate exists regarding whether robots employing subsumption architecture are genuine intelligent agents due to their lack of decision-making processes.
    • Hybrid architectures may combine subsumption for reactive control with central planning for higher-level cognition.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    CogSci_17Robotics.pdf

    Description

    Delve into the world of situated cognition and robotics, exploring how studying insects can help us better understand natural intelligence and environmental interactions. Learn about the dynamical systems-like approach and its applications in robotics. Test your knowledge of this fascinating field!

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser