Machines Like Us

British scientist Dr. Lola Canamero aims to build robots that "learn from humans and respond in a socially and emotionally appropriate manner."

Canamero is co-ordinator of the 2.3 euros project, based at the University of Hertfordshire, that will last for three years. The project will involve building robots that can adapt their behavior to accommodate humans. Although the robots themselves are simple, their complexity lies in their software. Dr. Canamero and her team are most interested in programming and developing behavioral capabilities, particularly in social and emotional interactions with people.

The robots sensory apparatus includes simple vision cameras, contact sensors, audio, and proximity sensors. A neural network will be used to detect human facial expressions because they extract patterns from examples and adapt readily to changing inputs—detecting patterns in voice, movement and behavior.

The ultimate goal is to create robots that can sense emotional states such as happiness, anger, and loneliness—and act accordingly. For instance, if the robot senses that a human is angry, it might keep its distance; if a human is lonely, it might try to cheer him up.

Dr. Canamero says that if a robot is to be a part of human society, it must learn to adapt to human patterns of behavior.

From BBC News