Two case-studies of relatively simple autonomous robot projects followed by a discussion of embodied cognition, emergent behaviour and how these concepts apply to the above robots.
1,595 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 2 sources, 2001, $ 52.95
Abstract This document is comprised of case studies of two autonomous robot projects, namely Frank Scott's Hexapod Robots, and MIT's Robot Ant Colony. Each case study describes the behaviour each robot exhibits, and technical information on how this behaviour is executed including mechanical parts, digital circuitry and programming techniques. The case studies are followed by a discussion of embodied cognition, and how the above robots' actions can be explained in terms of embodied cognition. It also discusses emergent phenomenon, both in nature and artificially intelligent robots.
From the Paper "The Rodney series of robots refers to a group of three six-legged autonomous robots whose design is based upon Rodney Brooks' subsumption architecture. Rodney 3 is the most refined and recent robot. It supersedes both Rodney 1 & 2 and for this reason will be the focus of this summary. Rodney 3 is designed to operate in an environment featuring a slightly uneven surface that may be interrupted by many small obstacles and an occasional large obstacle, e.g. a pebbled track with the odd large stone or similar obstacle. The robot's task is to climb over the smaller objects, and to avoid objects that are too large to climb over. To achieve the climbing action, all six legs must be able to operate independently of each other. The robot travels forward in a straight line until a large object is encountered. To avoid the object, it must reverse a few steps, shift its direction and continue its forward motion."
Abstract This paper discusses the different ways that the slaves proved to be autonomous during the time of slavery. It talks about the religion, fighting, dancing, singing and escape methods that the slaves turned to in order to be autonomous.
From the Paper "Clearly, slavery was an extremely brutal and unnecessary part of the past. The slaves were not simply robots who did what they were told and completely obeyed their masters; they were the exact opposite. The slaves exhibited so many different methods of maintaining their own lives and family. They did actually have enjoyable and comforting aspects of their lives."
Abstract This paper explores how the autonomic nervous system functions. The structure of the autonomic nervous system and its impact on the performance of the body are clarified, and diagrams will be used to supplement this information.
This paper describes and contrasts the lives of two Victorian women in the books, "The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands" by Mary Seacole and "Middlemarch" by George Eliot.
Abstract This paper looks for a true description of the lives of Victorian women by comparing an autobiography by Mary Seacole and a novel by George Eliot (pen name of Mary Ann Evans). The author states the two texts demonstrate that the lives of Victorian women were far more autonomous in practice than traditional Victorian fictional narratives might allow. The author points out that, ironically, Eliot's own personal life flouted conventional norms of femininity that she as an author never permitted her factious Victorian heroines.
From the Paper "The main narrative of the fictive Middlemarch tells the tale of Dorothea Brooke. Dorothea begins the novel as an extremely pious but wealthy young woman, seeking a larger purpose in life. She thinks she has found this greater purpose when she marries an elderly, pedantic clergyman named Casaubon. However, it soon becomes clear that her young passions have been diverted to purposeless ends."
Abstract Intelligent systems are becoming increasingly important in deep space missions, especially missions to Mars. This paper covers three intelligent technologies: (1) The intelligent space ship 'Deep Space One' and its autonomous navigation system; (2) The Mars global surveyor and the deep space terminal and (3) The 'Sojourner' and Rocky 7 and 8 rovers.
The paper includes illustrations.
From the Paper "Deep Space One marked the first mission of NASA's New Millennium Program which is aimed at testing highly advanced technologies for low-cost planetary missions [3]. The key component being tested by the mission was its AutoNav system. AutoNav is made up of three main tools: the Nav Main (simply Nav), the Nav Executive (NavExec) and the Nav Real-Time (NavRT). Nav and NavRT have architectures very similar to those of expert systems where decisions are based on algorithms built on sets of well defined rules. As well its decisions are supported by information gathered autonomously. In that respect it is very similar to the path planning software used in planetary rovers, which will be discussed later."
Abstract This paper explains that the Russian-Chechen conflict is a direct brutal clash between the central authorities of a federal state Russia and a sub-national component Chechnya, which has been accorded the rights as per the constitution but demands to be an autonomous state or to have a non-federal relationships. The author points out that most of the Chechen combatants are extremists, who have completely lost their conscience to Islamic establishments and are probably linked to Al-Qaeda, having committed such terror acts as seizing citizens in a hospital in the southern Russian town of Budyonnovsk in 1995 and capturing a school in the North Ossetian town of Beslan in 2004, resulting in the death of more than 500 children. The paper concludes that (1) Chechnya is badly in need of a political solution since armed endeavors during the last nine years have not been fruitful, bringing the Chechen's to a more radical front and permitting the authority of Islamic fundamentalism to penetrate Caucasus and (2) the global society has to show solidarity against extremism because there is no justification, which can uphold the brutal aggression meted out by the Chechen insurgents.
Table of Contents
Describe the Conflict Situation
Define the Reasons for the Conflict
Determine Who if Anyone is at Fault and Why
Is there a Solution?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The September 11 2001 assaults by the Al Qaeda and the condition with the Moscow Theatre provided a better plea to Putin to safeguard his military activities in Chechnya. Currently, the Chechens have been member of the extremists and the battle with them is a component of the international battle on extremism. Prior to 11 Sept 2001, the global society were severe with Russia regarding the Chechen exigency, but thereafter following the assault on Moscow Theater they were inclined to be increasingly cooperative and sparing Russian activities. Gaining the notice of the Western media, the suicide bombings are a proof of Chechnya's instability and the dangers of permitting the insurgent Islamist crusade starting to gather foothold there to flourish."
Abstract This paper explains that, unlike the previous belief that defined a singular I.Q., the Multiple Intelligence Theory proposes that people use at least seven (7) relatively autonomous intellectual capacities which are linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal and intra-personal intelligences; these intelligences do not develop equally or at the same rate. The author points out that without the critical factor of acknowledgement of multiple intelligences in the first-grade classroom and that without this being acknowledged, the students in the first-grade classroom may be mislabeled and get off on their educational journey on the wrong foot thereby affecting them permanently in terms of their development. The paper relates that the four factors in educational reform within the theoretical base of multiple intelligences are (1) assessment (2) curriculum (3) teacher education and (4) community participation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Background of the Problem
Significance of the Study
Hypothesis and Research Questions
Limitations of the Study
Definitions and Terms
Literature Review
Summary
From the Paper "Gaining an understanding in multiple intelligences assists students in gaining self-understanding as well as gaining an understanding of others personally, interpersonally, professionally and culturally. Another consideration is that the assignation of intelligence is different from one culture to another. For example while one culture holds that linguistic intelligence is more vital another culture may hold that logical or spatial intelligence is superior. Integration of learning styles is a challenge in the classroom and requires that the teacher assist the students in finding each his or her own identity through their own unique assets and strengths toward successful learning."
Abstract The paper presents the opinion that the author of "Noam Chomsky's MisEducation" provides an excellent evaluation of schooling. The book provides the edited text of five essays, lectures, interviews, and a debate in which Chomsky took part, on the subject of education. The paper relates that Chomsky presents an exceptional assessment of schooling that reclaims the idea of schooling as both a public good and an autonomous strength. The paper maintains that Chomsky and Macedo's book accomplishes this assessment with great courage and thorough insight. The paper concludes that this is a book which is recommended to everyone interested in education and the crisis of democracy.
Outline:
Introduction
Background
Summary of the Book
Analysis of the Book
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the book Chomsky has put together global technological change as well as the dominance of responsible media along with the autonomous role of schools and higher education. The objective of writing on this subject was to inform his readers that a true democratic society cannot prosper in a swiftly transforming world till the approach to education is formal or else it's dramatically reformed (McChesney, 2000).
The first chapter opens up with a dialog between Chomsky and Donaldo Macedo, where the author argued that American schools do not encourage independent thinking and are more keen in controlling students and catering to the wishes of only those who have wealth and power. However, Chomsky very quickly goes off the track of the subject and steers the discussion to American foreign policy (Westbrook, 1991)."
Abstract This paper briefly analyses the role of the nervous system, the physiological systems involved in arousal, the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged or intense arousal and the relationship between stress and disease.
From the Paper "The CNS and PNS are further subdivided, the CNS as mentioned previously is divided into the brain the spinal cord and the PNS if further sub-divided into the somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible our voluntary actions through our skeletal muscles whilst the autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions including internal organs, muscles and glands such as heart rate and breathing rate, etc where levels of arousal are high due to these functions. The autonomic nervous system is further sub-divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system."
Abstract The discussion of Spinoza's monism and its impact upon our understanding of the autonomous self necessitates - prior to addressing the issue itself - a choice as to whether or not to accept the assumptions upon which is based the "truth of Spinoza's monism". In this context, this paper will take a dualistic approach to this question. First, Spinoza's assumptions and his monistic theory will be examined to demonstrate some of their flaws, and therefore their irrelevance to the issue of the autonomous self. The second approach requires the provisional acceptance of Spinoza's assumptions and his propositions as to the monism of God. It will be argued that, although Spinoza's argument allows a degree of limited autonomy for the self as a causal agent, this freedom is based upon our finite ignorance of the causal relationship between ourselves as finite beings and God as an infinite entity.
Abstract In both wars Canada played a significant role militarily and economically. In World War I Canada emerged from the shadow of Great Britain and the Empire and emerged as an autonomous, self-governing dominion. In World War II Canada played a larger, and yet more autonomous role, reflected, in the post-war era in Canada's role in the formation of the UN and NATO.
Abstract This paper explains that, although the U. S. failed to support the League of Nations, America supported the United Nations because the supreme national interest of America was to obtain a world atmosphere in which the United States could grow its inner social values devoid of undue commotion or danger from the outside. The author points out that collective action via the United Nations instead of unilateral action was considered politically viable on key political issues. The paper concludes that the League of Nations and the United Nations disappointed hopes the following the two world wars because, in no way, can they be an autonomous political power; at best, the U.N. is a mirror image of the opposing interest of autonomous states.
Table of Contents
Introduction
America's Rejection to Support the League of Nations
The Historical Background
The Fundamental Principals that Lead to the Rejection of the League of Nations
America's Support for the United Nations
Using United Nations to Achieve the Goals of American Foreign Policy
The Fundamental Goal of Military Security
The Fundamental Goal of Political Security:
The Fundamental Goal of Stability and Welfare
The Fundamental Goal of World Order
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the United States of America the major disagreement on both the groundwork venture and the refined Covenant of the League of Nations had been on the base that the League would function as an intrusion with the sovereignty of America and with the Monroe principle, that it concerned desertion of the traditional American policy, which had not been in favor of entrapped coalitions, and that the government did not have the power, within its Constitution, to insert such an agreement . Independence has revealed to be just so much freedom of action on the behalf of countries as is coherent with their responsibility, within international law and principles, to authorize the application of uniform independence or freedom of action by their sister countries. The League agreement had assured all States in their application of this sovereignty free from coercion by other Countries, and he who desires more is actually in search of the authorization thoughtlessly to ignore these commitments -- to refuse, for instance, the fair rulings of a properly established tribunal -- which is the German perception of independence."
Abstract This paper describes four basic adult attachment styles: the secure/autonomous style, the dismissing/avoidant style, the preoccupied style and the unclassifiable/disorganized style. The author stresses that early attachment styles are established in childhood through the infant-caregiver relationship. The paper relates that, regardless of the type of adult attachment style, communication is one critical item that will help people have lasting relationships. The author urges that persons not be labeled by their attachment style because they can re-train themselves to develop more positive behavior.
Table of Contents:
Defined
Secure / Autonomous Style
Dismissing / Avoidant Style
Preoccupied Style
Unclassifiable / Disorganized Style
Conclusion
From the Paper "As these children grow into adults, the effects are also positive. Children who are securely attached tend to have trusting, long-term relationships in their adulthood. As adults and being securely attached, these same individuals have a great understanding and perspective on important relationships in their lives. They demonstrate a forgiving attitude toward their mate and tend to show compassion for others. They tend to speak of how their past experiences have influenced their present feelings and relationships."
Abstract The paper explores the elements of a major job redesign, specifically focusing on the claims processor specialist position (CPS) with Allstate Insurance and how a possible redesign of the position would benefit all that are involved. The paper shows how this proposed redesign should appropriately address and increase satisfaction for both the employee and the company.
Outline:
Introduction
Potential Job Redesign Approaches
New Major Components, Tasks and Responsibilities of a CPS
Recommendations for Successful Implementation
From the Paper "When a claim is first reported by the insured it is handled in Allstate's Call Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This report is commonly referred to as the First Notice Of Loss or the FNOL. Once the claim has been established the controller assigns the claim to its specific geographical region in the country. For a Claims Processor Specialist there are a wide variety of tasks that range from ordering police and fire reports, investigating prior losses, following up with the insured for various pieces of information, sending out denial letters from the adjuster, and fielding live telephone calls from insured customers, Allstate agents, mitigation companies and public adjusters."
Abstract This paper discusses the doctrine of subrogation and relates that it is squarely grounded on the law of restitution and thus the reversal of unjust enrichment. The paper specifically looks at how subrogation, while implicit in surety relationships, is a matter of controversy in the context of bankers' autonomous undertakings such as the letter of credit and bank guarantees. The paper concludes that it seems that the question of the availability of subrogation in the case of bankers' autonomous undertakings turns on the extent to which it would introduce uncertainty into this area of law. Since this area of law is also controversial and often unclear, subrogation in these cases should be avoided.
From the Paper "If subrogation is essentially a remedy, then the doctrine of autonomy, which ousts the co-extensiveness of customer and issuer obligations, cannot of itself oust subrogation. The independence [autonomy] principle basically determines that the beneficiary will have the money in its pocket if there is a dispute between it and the customer over the underlying transaction. This distinguishes a letter of credit from an ordinary guarantee: a guarantee is not independent in this sense, and guarantors may generally assert defenses available to the party whose obligation is guaranteed. The independence principle undoubtedly requires the issuer to pay first, without even looking through to the underlying transaction. Subrogation should therefore be unavailable before the issuer has paid the beneficiary; it may be considered unnecessary. Once the issuer has done so, however, the purpose of the independence principle has been served: the beneficiary has the money."
