I used to be of the opinion that doing robotics in simulation was a waste of time. The simulations were too perfect. To simplistic compared to the nitty gritty of real world environments. Algorithms developed and optimised for simulated environments would not translate well (or at all) into real robotics applications operating in non trivial environments. Ten years ago that was true, but now I think it's possible to build simulations with graphics and physics which are substantially more realistic, to the point where it might be possible to take algorithms developed within simulation, dump them onto a real robot and expect to see similar performance. You'd need to be careful to simulate sensor uncertainties, but it should be possible.
Indeed ... I am interested in seeing AGISim go in this direction, though there is still more basic work to be done on AGISim first...
Ironically, good quality simulations for robotics development will themselves assist in the cognitive process, becoming the robots inner theatre of the mind within which it may experiment with possible scenarios before committing to a course of action.
Yeah, this is something we have discussed in an AGISim/Novamente context, though we have not done it yet. Basically, giving a Novamente system an "internal AGISim" theatre in which to experiment with various actions and scenarios, using simulated physics to shortcut the need for extensive cognition when appropriate... -- Ben ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
