Neuroscientist Looks At Robots, A

Description

The book, written for a general educated public, compares the most important elements of the human nervous system to the corresponding capacities of robots. Crucial are the areas of activities for which the constraints limiting human and robot performances are much different. Those areas offer opportunities for synergies. The book argues that we now understand mechanisms for emotional feelings in the human brain so well that we will be able to program robots to act as though they also have emotion. Written in a clear and open fashion by an expert neuroscientist, the book will appeal to interested lay readers in addition to neuroscientists and computer scientists. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: Robots Yesterday The Book Some Striking Accomplishments in Robot Design to Date Silly Stuff The Real Deal Robots are Improving Comparison with Neuroscience Further Reading Chapter 2: Sentient Machines Vision Recognizing Faces Olfaction Overall Comparing Humans and Robots Human Constraints are Not Robotic Constraints, and Vice Versa Evolutionary Mechanisms Aiding Humans with Damaged Sensation Outlook Further Reading Chapter 3: Motors to Go Movement Controls, Starting at the Spinal Cord Signals Descending from the Brainstem Smoothen and Coordinate Movements Cerebral Cortex is Required for Voluntary Motion Human Brain Mechanisms for Repetitive Movements Formation of New Motor Habits Differences Between Humans and Robots Evolution Human Constraints are not Robotic Constraints and Vice Versa Machine-Assisted Human Movements; Direct from Brain to Prosthesis Further Reading Chapter 4: Emotions Mechanisms Fear Sex, Caring Anger, Aggression Disgust Happiness and Unhappiness Arousal Sex Differences? Bottom Line Further Reading Chapter 5: Regulation and Display of “Emotions” by Robots “Emotional” Behaviors of Robots Progress to Report How DoWe Come to Believe Another’s “Emotional Language,” Robotic or Human? Recognizing Another’s Emotional and Social Intentions Outlook Further Reading Chapter 6: Human–Robot Interactions What Robots Can Do Robots to the Rescue Robots and Doctors Robots in the Workplace Robots in the Cockpit Robots in Police Work Domesticated Robots “Professional” Robots Further Reading Chapter 7: Legal Implications of Living and Working with Robots Chapter 8: Robots Tomorrow Smart, Yes Social Robot Behaviors Threats or Blessings? The Human Use of Human Beings One Bottom Line Outlook Further Reading Index