| Framework
The
theoretical framework underlying my work is the view according to which
cognition is embodied and situated. Basically, the
idea is that cognition is embodied,i.e.
that it depends from the experience of possessing a body with a specific
sensorimotor system. Cognition emerges from goal-derived interactions
between the organisms and the environment, and it is deeply influenced
by the ecological niche in which the organisms evolved. This view stresses
the role of action for cognition, and it considers perception, action
and cognition as strictly interrelated.
I approach some
of the topics described below using mostly experimental laboratory methods
(behavioral and kinematics studies), but also computer simulations (neural
networks).
Perception
and action - Affordances - Social and relational affordances
Language
grounding in sensorimotor processes
Impact
of language on categorization and sense of body
Categorization
and conceptualization
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| Funded projects and
collaborations:
2006-08 PRIN, coordination
of the Bologna – Department of Psychology Unit. Title of the project
of the unit: language, objects and motor system: the role of
affordances. Other units: 1. (coordinator) University of Milano
Bicocca, Dept. of Psychology (coordinator Natale Stucchi), 2. University
of Parma, Dept. of Neuroscience (coordinator Lucia Riggio), 3. University
of Bologna, Department of Communication Disciplines (coordinator Roberto
Nicoletti).
March
2008 – February 2011. Coordination of the European project
ROSSI project, Emergence of
communication in RObots through Sensorimotor and Social Interaction
(EU, FP7, call Cognitive Systems and Robotics.)
Abstract of the ROSSI project
Starting from the assumption that cognition is embodied, the ROSSI project
addresses the question how the possibility of communication between
agents (e.g. humans and robots) is affected by differences in sensorimotor
capacities. This is an important issue, given that robots are expected
to become more common in nonstructured environments, such as homes or
hospitals. While there is a trend towards humanoid robots, it is clear
that for the foreseeable future there will still be substantial differences
in physical embodiment between robots and humans.
To explore to what extent concepts must be shared to facilitate communication,
we will build robots with sensorimotor systems structurally roughly
similar to human beings. Furthermore, the control mechanisms for these
robots will be based on insights into the neural mechanisms underlying
human concepts and language.
In particular, two types of neurons in premotor cortex will be modelled:
(1) canonical neurons, which are active during both the execution of
specific object-directed actions and the mere visual observation of
the same objects, and (2) mirror neurons, which are involved in both
an agent’s own actions and the visual observation of such actions performed
by others.
In this framework, the project’s aims are twofold. First, behavioural
and neurophysiological experiments will provide new evidence and insights
into the grounding of human conceptualization and language. Second,
computational modelling of the underlying neural mechanisms will provide
novel approaches to grounding of robotic conceptualization and language.
More specifically, the project aims at building robots endowed with
the sensorimotor and neural/computational mechanisms that allow them
to: (a) flexibly manipulate and use objects in the environment, (b)
use a simple form of language, i.e. nouns and verbs referring to objects
and object-oriented actions, (c) use such concepts and verbal labels
in social interaction with humans.
Beneficiaries/collaborators
1. (coordinator) - Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna
- UNIBO Italy
2 Università degli Studi di Parma PRM Italy
3 Universität zu Lübeck ITM Germany
4 Högskolan i Skövde HIS Sweden
5 Middle East Technical University METU Turkey
6 Aberystwyth University AU United Kingdom
Since 2000 RFO funds 60%, University of Bologna.
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