New Software May Allow Hector the Robot to Develop Self-Awareness

A robot may actually be prepared for self-awareness. Scientists are continuing their work on the walking robot, named Hector, and have developed a software architecture that could enable Hector to see himself as others see him.

Scientists have long been involved in further developing and enhancing Hector's software. The robot itself is modelled after a stick insect, and it walks and can deal with obstacles in its path. As researchers try out new software, they first test it using computer simulations. What works in a computer simulation must then be transferred over to the robot.

Currently, the researchers are investigating to what extent various higher level mental states, such as aspects of consciousness, may develop in Hector with this software. Although these traits were not specifically built in to the robot beforehand, the researchers hope that "emergent" abilities will develop.

Until now, Hector has largely been a reactive system. This means that it reacts to stimuli in its surroundings. Now, though, the latest software allows the robot to simulate "imagined behavior;" it looks for new solutions and evaluates whether the action makes sense instead of just automatically completing a pre-determined operation.

What's truly interesting, though, is the possibility of emergent behavior. Already, scientists have determined that Hector's control system could adopt several higher-level mental states. These inner mental states, such as intentions, make goal-directed behavior possible. In addition, the researchers identified how properties of emotions may show up in the system.

"Emotions can be read from behavior," said Holk Cruse, one of the researchers, in a news release. "For example, a person who is happy takes more risks and makes decisions faster than someone who is anxious. Depending on its inner mental state, the system may adopt quick, but risky, solutions, and at other times, it may take its time to search for a safer solution."

Currently, the researchers are continuing to develop the robot. With the new software expansion, though, the basic faculties are prepared for more advanced robots.

The findings are published in the journal Open Mind.

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