• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2023, Vol. 59 ›› Issue (23): 1-22.doi: 10.3901/JME.2023.23.001

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Review of the Application of Goal-directed Cognitive Mechanism in Robotics

CONG Ming1, LI Jinzhong1, LIU Dong1, DU Yu2   

  1. 1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024;
    2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian Jiaotong University, Dalian 116028
  • Received:2022-12-05 Revised:2023-06-08 Online:2023-12-05 Published:2024-02-20

Abstract: People are trying to summarize the cognitive mechanism from the performance of humans in processing complex tasks and apply it to the robot to replace the human in processing complex tasks. In human-computer interaction, techniques have been proposed to teach robots new skills through programming demonstrations and imitation learning. A significant remaining challenge is to allow robots to infer human intentions and learn new skills through goal-based imitation rather than following demonstrated motion trajectories (track-based or motion imitation). Unlike the cognitive mechanism of habitual behavior (input-operation mapping), the goal-based approach first deduces the goals of the behavior and then generates a plan to achieve those goals. The existence of goals is the key to forming higher human cognitive ability. It has essential reference significance in guiding robots to learn human skills for handling complex tasks. Firstly, this research introduces the critical role of goal-oriented behavior in the process of advanced human cognition from the relevant research in the field of cognitive science and introduces the computing framework that embodies goal-oriented behavior from the three paradigms of artificial intelligence, behaviorism, symbolism, and connectionism. Then the application of goal-directed cognitive basis in bionic robot navigation, human-computer interaction intention recognition, and robot skill learning are introduced. Finally, the relevant research projects in recent years are introduced, and some suggestions for future development are given.

Key words: robot, imitation learning, goal-directed, cognitive

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