MIKROKOSMS and Robots

Abstract

This pape rpresents a computer program that simulates situations (called " MIKROKOSMS") in which severl entities (called " organisms ") wander around in an environment that includes one another plus other, apparently simpler, entities (called " objects"). The program has a rather simple set of "laws " of objects , which can be thought of as the laws o f physics of the MIKROKOSM. It also has the specifications for organisms - their input and output functions (called "perception" and "response"), their reward functions (called " motivation" or "needs"), and their mechanisms for building up internal memories (called "learning" and "hypothesis formation") that will ·help them to recognize objects in the future , and respond appropriately to them (for example, in order to maxi mi z e expected rewards). This program lays bare the processes that are needed to handle interactions among simulated organisms and objects, including the learning of hypotheses that will guide future action. The present program has only the simplest of pattern recognition, hypothesis formation and need-satisfaction capabilities. Its purpose is to make clear and concrete how such things can be interrelated in a complete system. Descriptors: Robots, mikrokosms,, computers, integrative systems, pattern recognition, learning, hypothesis -formation.