RoboBrain: A Software Architecture Mapping the Human Brain

Ilias Trochidis Ortelio Ltd, UK

Adamantios KoumpisUniversity of Passau, Germany

Laurentiu VasiliuPeracton Ltd, Ireland

Christoph Bussler Tropo Inc, USA

When do we first hear about robots and robot brain?

In Book 18 of the Iliad, Hephaestus the god of all mechanical arts, was assisted by two moving female statues made from gold – "living young damsels, filled with minds and wisdoms".

What happened until now?

Optimus Prime (1993)

Johnny 5 (1986)

Wall-E (2008)

The Terminator (1984)R2-D2 (1977)C-3PO (1977)

RoboCop (1987)

Robo-servant NDR-114 (1999)Rodney and Feder

(2005)

We have seen many “clever” robots in…….

…..cinemas.

What happened in reality?• There are a lot of robotic platforms available:

– For research/education

– For fun– For commercial purposes

• However, intelligent autonomous robots still remains a science fiction.

Why?

There are efforts that try to solve a specific problem such as vision, decision making, speech, motion etc.

There are efforts that try to provide a complete simulation of the Human brain (e.g. Blue Brain Project, Human Brain Project).

@ the RoboBrain lab

We develop the RoboBrain Architecture

@ the RoboBrain lab

It is a component based software architecture that:•Maps the main functions of the human brain.•Allows components to be plugged in.•Can be installed on any Humanoid robot.

RoboBrain is a software developer’s view of how a robot brain should work.

We build the first robotic software brain architecture that emulates human brain functionality!

Human Brain Lobes RoboBrain Proposed ModulesFrontal Lobe•Anticipates future consequences•Overrides/suppresses behaviours•Determines similarities between things or events•Environment Interaction•Decision making

High Level Functions Module•Reasoning•Simulation•Environment Interaction•Decision making / comparison•Learning

Parietal Lobe•Integrates sensorial information•Knowledge of numbers•Relations between numbers•Visuo-spatial relations•Object manipulation•Sense of touch •Movement control for hands, legs, eye•Language processing

Sensorial Data Processing Module: •Visuo-Spatial relationships•Object manipulation•Pressure sensors (touch), •Mathematical processor•Movements planning and control•Natural language processing

Occipital Lobe•Image processing and interpretation

Image Processing Module•Image processing and interpretation

RoboBrain mapping 1/2

Human Brain Lobes RoboBrain Proposed ModulesTemporal Lobe•Long term memory•Declarative memory (semantic/episodic)•New memory•Visual memory•Language Recognition•Visual Processing (Object perception and Recognition)•Auditory perception

Memory Processing Module•Long term memory•Semantic Memory (facts)•Episodic memory (events)•New memory•Image memory•Natural Language Recognition•Visual Processing (Object perception and Recognition)•Sound processing

Limbic Lobe•Emotions

Emotions Module•Social emotions / ethics

Insular cortex•Interoreceptive awareness •Motor control•Homeostasis•Self-awareness•Social emotions•Emotions Salience

Command and Control Module•System’s operational status•Motor control•Self-diagnose

RoboBrain mapping 2/2

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RoboBrain Assets

• With RoboBrain, robots can autonomously act in any environment (home, hospital, factory, road, classroom etc.).

RoboBrain is cross platform

RoboBrain is open source

• By mid 2015 we intend to create our open source community that will release the first instantiation of the RoboBrain architecture.

• You are welcome to contribute!

RoboBrain is requesting funding

• ICT-24-2015 Horizon 2020: Robotics

• Healthcare, Consumer, Transport.

• We are looking for partners actively involved in Robotics.

• Are you interested? Let us know!

Thank you

Ortelio Ltd

it@ortelio.co.uk