From Bricks to Brains: The Embodied Cognitive Science of LEGO Robots

by Michael Dawson, Michael Wilson, Brian Dupuis

Overview

From Bricks to Brains introduces embodied cognitive science and illustrates its foundational ideas through the construction and observation of LEGO Mindstorms robots.

Discussing the characteristics that distinguish embodied cognitive science from classical cognitive science, the authors place a renewed emphasis on sensing and acting, on the importance of embodiment, and on the exploration of distributed notions of control. They also show how synthesizing simple systems and observing their behavior can generate new theoretical insights. Numerous examples are brought forward to illustrate a key theme: the importance of environment to an actor. Even simple agents, such as LEGO robots, are capable of exhibiting complex behavior when they can sense and alter the world around them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781897425787
Publisher:	University of British Columbia Press
Publication date:	09/03/2010
Series:	AU Press
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Dawson is professor of psychology at the University of Alberta. He is the author of Understanding Cognitive Science, Minds and Machines, and Connectionism: A Hands-on Approach. Brian Dupuis as a research assistant in psychology and Michael Wilson is a biology major, both at the University of Alberta.

Table of Contents

Front Matter; Table of Contents; Acknowledgements Chapter 1. Mind Control-Internal or External? Chapter 2. Classical Music and the Classical Mind Chapter 3. Situated Cognition and Bricolage Chapter 4. Braitenberg's Vehicle 2 Chapter 5. Thoughtless Walkers Chapter 6. Machina Speculatrix Chapter 7. The Subsumption Architecture Chapter 8. Embodiment, Stigmergy, and Swarm Intelligence Chapter 9. Totems, Toys-Or Tools? References; Index