Research

Neurorobotics

Part of the research conducted in the Active Perception Laboratory involves the embodiment of neuronal models in robotic systems. Robots are useful tools in active perception studies, as they allow exposure of neural models to the real sensory inputs present during behavior. The use of robotic systems has the advantage of introducing phenotypic and environmental constraints similar to those that brains of animals have to face during development and in everyday life. Consideration of these constraints is particularly important in light of modern brain theories, which emphasize the importance of closing the perception & action loop between the agent and the environment. The interdisciplinary approach followed by this research establishes a direct link between natural sciences and engineering. This research can lead to the understanding of basic biological problems while producing robust and flexible systems that operate in the real world.