We conduct research in a number of sub-fields of intelligent robotics and related areas such as statistical machine learning. At the most general level members of the lab use computational models, implemented in robots to test ideas about how intelligence can and should work. Some lab members work with those studying biological intelligence. Others work on the engineering science challenge of creating new algorithms required for robots to learn, see, communicate and plan. Finally we work on how to put all these together in complete systems.
This grouping covers research on architectures for accounting for human mental states and processes as well as recreating them in computer programs. Analysing architectures for human mental states and processes allows us to investigate, for instance, whether the ability to have emotional states is an accident of animal evolution or an inevitable consequence of design requirements and constraints.
The lab currently holds external research funding on projects either due to start, or in progress worth in excess of 2.2million pounds. We gratefully acknowledge the support of all our funders past and present. These include the European Commission IST Directorate Cognition Unit, the Leverhulme Trust, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Past funders include the Royal Society, Advantage West Midlands and the British Council. Please look at the following project summaries, and view our collection of movies of robots in the lab.