Prerequisites for an Artificial Self.
Verena V Hafner, Pontus Loviken, Antonio Pico Villalpando, Guido Schillaci
Frontiers in neurorobotics January 1, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2020.00005 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBody ownership and agency are two main components of the minimal self, traditionally studied in philosophy but now also in cognitive science and robotics. This review argues that mechanisms for developing motor and cognitive skills in robots also lay the foundation for an artificial self. It examines developmental processes of the minimal self in biological systems, transfers those principles to robotics, and suggests metrics for measuring agency and body ownership in an artificial self.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Artificial self Developmental robotics Minimal self Predictive processes Sense of agency |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Mechanisms for developing motor and cognitive skills in robots can also build the foundation for an artificial self, and metrics for agency and body ownership in an artificial self are suggested. |
Abstract
Traditionally investigated in philosophy, body ownership and agency-two main components of the minimal self-have recently gained attention from other disciplines, such as brain, cognitive and behavioral sciences, and even robotics and artificial intelligence. In robotics, intuitive human interaction in natural and dynamic environments becomes more and more important, and requires skills such as self-other distinction and an understanding of agency effects. In a previous review article, we investigated studies on mechanisms for the development of motor and cognitive skills in robots (Schillaci et al., 2016). In this review article, we argue that these mechanisms also build the foundation for an understanding of an artificial self. In particular, we look at developmental processes of the minimal self in biological systems, transfer principles of those to the development of an artificial self, and suggest metrics for agency and body ownership in an artificial self.