A Robotic Simulation Framework for Cognitive Systems

The insect brain computational model introduced in Part I of the book was there demonstrated through simple simulation results which showed the performance of the main blocks involved. In this chapter a dedicated software/hardware framework for cooperative and bio-inspired cognitive architectures, were the brain computational model was embedded, is presented. Here a complete description of the system, named Robotic Simulations for Cognitive Systems (RS4CS), will be introduced in order to show potentialities and capabilities. Moreover, the design choices and implementation issues related to the proposed robotic programming environment will be here addressed. The framework can be interfaced with robot prototypes mediating the sensory motor loop or with 2D and 3D kinematic and dynamic simulation environments.