On Neuromechanical Approaches for the Study of Biological Grasp and Manipulation

Biological and robotic grasp and manipulation are undeniably similar at the level of mechanical task performance. However, their underlying fundamental biological vs. engineering mechanisms are, by definition, dramatically different and can even be antithetical. Even our approach to each is diametrically opposite: inductive science for the study of biological systems vs. engineering synthesis for the design and construction of robotic systems. The past 20 years have seen several conceptual advances in both fields and the quest to unify them. Chief among them is the reluctant recognition that their underlying fundamental mechanisms may actually share limited common ground, while exhibiting many fundamental differences. This recognition is particularly liberating because it allows us to resolve and move beyond multiple paradoxes and contradictions that arose from the initial reasonable assumption of a large common ground. Here, we begin by introducing the perspective of neuromechanics, which emphasizes that real-world behavior emerges from the intimate interactions among the physical structure of the system, the mechanical requirements of a task, the feasible neural control actions to produce it, and the ability of the neuromuscular system to adapt through interactions with the environment. This allows us to articulate a succinct overview of a few salient conceptual paradoxes and contradictions regarding under-determined vs. over-determined mechanics, under- vs. over-actuated control, prescribed vs. emergent function, learning vs. implementation vs. adaptation, prescriptive vs. descriptive synergies, and optimal vs. habitual performance. We conclude by presenting open questions and suggesting directions for future research. We hope this frank assessment of the state-of-the-art will encourage and guide these communities to continue to interact and make progress in these important areas

Is a Technological Singularity near also for bots in MMOGs?

Using the idea of the Technological Singularity this essay offers some reflections on the possible future of bots in Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs). The paper starts by briefly introducing the notion of Technological Singularity as the advent of a super-intelligent Artificial Intelligence that could threaten human existence. Bots are computer programs that automate repetitive and time consuming activities for the Internet user. In MMOGs, bots are often used to cheat and could have nefarious effects on the gameplay. Assuming that bots are rudimentary forms of Artificial Intelligence that also pose a threat to MMOGs and their players, the paper presents some evidence-based trends of the future evolution of bots and the implications of these for Virtual Worlds research

Free Will of an Ontologically Open Mind

The problem of free will has persistently resisted a solution throughout centuries. There is reason to believe that new elements need to be introduced into the analysis in order to make progress. In the present physicalist approach, these elements are emergence and information theory in relation to universal limits set by quantum physics. Furthermore the common, but vague, characterization of free will as "being able to act differently" is, in the spirit of Carnap, rephrased into an explicatum more suitable for formal analysis. It is argued that the mind is an ontologically open system; a causal high-level system, the future of which cannot be reduced to the states of its associated low-level neural systems, not even if it is rendered physically closed. A positive answer to the question of free will is subsequently outlined

Improving Quality of Life with a Narrative Robot Companion: II - Creating Group Cohesion via Shared Narrative Experience

One of the most difficult things for social robots is to enter the realm of human social relations. Here, we exploit recent advances in natural language processing (NLP) that provide robots access to human experience, which can allow them to enter into human social relations. When people are put together in arbitrary conditions, as in a home for the elderly, it can be difficult for them to share experience. To address this, we use recent advances in NLP to allow the robot to discover shared narratives between such group members. Our narrative companion extends the human capability to make social narrative links for building group coherence through sharing experience.Requirements are identified for a narrative companion to allow individuals within a group to focus their interactions on shared experiences and interests, to improve group coherence. The system should collect and organize members' experiences, and should discover semantic similarity between different members' experiences in order to create a group narrative. It should then accompany the group in their cohesion-enhancing experience of this narrative. Based on these requirements, and extending our previous work, we implement the V2.0 narrative companion on the Pepper robot.The system is validated in a case study where participants provide 5 favorite photographs and short answers to questions. The Narrative Semantic Similarity Analysis System (NarSim) generates a meaningful trajectory of narrative linking people and events depicted in the photographs. With this, Pepper then accompanies the group and prompts group members to enrich the shared narrative, to further enhance the group pleasure and cohesion. Results are presented, and future applications for improved quality of life are discussed.T. Uchida, H. Ishiguro and P. F. Dominey, "Improving Quality of Life with a Narrative Robot Companion: II – Creating Group Cohesion via Shared Narrative Experience*," 2020 29th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN), Naples, Italy, 2020, pp. 906-913, doi: 10.1109/RO-MAN47096.2020.9223600.The 29th IEEE International Conference on Robot & Human Interactive Communication [31 AUG - 04 SEPT, 2020

The law in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics: a case study of Atlas from a Tort Law perspective

The law in the age of artificial intelligence and robotics faces many challenges to which our current legal systems may not yet have the proper tools to tackle them with. In recent years, we have seen the development of technologies which just ten or twenty years ago we wouldn’t have thought were even yet possible. From advanced AI-powered language models such as ChatGPT to driverless autonomous vehicles such as Tesla’s, it is undeniable that the science of intelligent machines advances at a pace that far outmatches that of its legal counterpart. The present study will seek to analyse both current and future regulatory proposals regarding the use of autonomous humanoid robots from a Tort Law perspective, both through the Spanish and European regulatory frameworks, in order to establish efficient legal solutions that offer satisfactory outcomes both for manufacturers and consumers.El Derecho en la era de la inteligencia artificial y la robótica enfrenta muchos desafíos para los cuales nuestros sistemas legales actuales tal vez aún no tengan las herramientas adecuadas para abordarlos. En los últimos años hemos visto el desarrollo de tecnologías que hace apenas diez o veinte años ni siquiera hubiéramos pensado que fueran posibles. Desde modelos de lenguaje avanzados impulsados por IA, como ChatGPT, hasta vehículos autónomos sin conductor como el de Tesla, es innegable que la ciencia de las máquinas inteligentes avanza a un ritmo que supera con creces el de su contraparte legal. El presente estudio buscará analizar las propuestas regulatorias actuales y futuras sobre el uso de robots humanoides autónomos desde una perspectiva del Derecho de Daños, tanto a través del marco regulatorio español como europeo, con el fin de establecer soluciones jurídicas eficientes que ofrezcan resultados satisfactorios tanto para los fabricantes como para los consumidores. consumidores.La llei a l'era de la intel·ligència artificial i la robòtica s'enfronta a molts reptes als quals els nostres sistemes legals actuals potser encara no disposen de les eines adequades per afrontar-los. En els darrers anys hem assistit al desenvolupament de tecnologies que fa només deu o vint anys no ens pensàvem que encara fossin possibles. Des de models de llenguatge avançats amb intel·ligència artificial com ChatGPT fins a vehicles autònoms sense conductor com el de Tesla, és innegable que la ciència de les màquines intel·ligents avança a un ritme que supera amb escreix el del seu homòleg legal. El present estudi pretén analitzar les propostes normatives actuals i futures sobre l'ús de robots humanoides autònoms des de la perspectiva de la Llei de danys, tant a través del marc normatiu espanyol com europeu, per tal d'establir solucions legals eficients que ofereixin resultats satisfactoris tant per als fabricants com per als consumidors