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AI-SIMCOG: a simulator for spiking neurons and multiple animats’ behaviours

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Abstract

Designing a biologically inspired neural architecture as a controller for a complete animat or physical robot environment, to test the hypotheses on intelligence or cognition is non-trivial, particularly, if the controller is a network of spiking neurons. As a result, simulators that integrate spike coding and artificial or real-world platforms are scarce. In this paper, we present artificial intelligence simulator of cognition, a software simulator designed to explore the computational power of pulsed coding at the level of small cognitive systems. Our focus is on convivial graphical user interface, real-time operation and multilevel Hebbian synaptic adaptation, accomplished through a set of non-linear dynamic weights and on-line, life-long modulation. Inclusions of transducer and hormone components, intrinsic oscillator and several learning functions in a discrete spiking neural algorithm are distinctive features of the software. Additional features are the easy link between the production of specific neural architectures and an artificial 2D-world simulator, where one or more animats implement an input–output transfer function in real-time, as do robots in the real world. As a result, the simulator code is exportable to a robot’s microprocessor. This realistic neural model is thus amenable to investigate several time related cognitive problems.

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Notes

  1. When implemented in a specific neuron, provide a constant positive inward current as a tool to investigate spontaneous neural activity and its contribution to the overall neural dynamics.

  2. Small round structures built as a different layer on top of the animat’s external shed, that generate their own independent movements.

  3. An open world version of the software is in progress.

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Acknowledgment

This software was developed with the help of AIFUTURE in collaboration with Objectif8, two Quebec-based software companies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    André Cyr & Mounir Boukadoum

  2. Philosophy Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Pierre Poirier

Authors
  1. André Cyr
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  2. Mounir Boukadoum
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  3. Pierre Poirier
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Correspondence to André Cyr.

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Cyr, A., Boukadoum, M. & Poirier, P. AI-SIMCOG: a simulator for spiking neurons and multiple animats’ behaviours. Neural Comput & Applic 18, 431–446 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-009-0254-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00521-009-0254-2

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