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Birger Johansson, PhD
Biography
A main concern of cognitive science is the construction of models of human thinking. I have a special interest in anticipatory behaviours and my PhD thesis was about anticipatory behaviours in robots. During my PhD studies, I developed the AARC (Attention and Anticipation in Robot Control) architecture. The AARC can be used in both simulation and for robot experiments.
One of my favourite quote is:
“An algorithm that works in a simulation is a good algorithm. An algorithm that works in a real robot is an excellent algorithm.”
I am part of the team developing Ikaros, an infrastructure for system level brain models and robot control. In my research I use several different robot platforms. Some of my current research, with the vision group, continues to build on these robot experiments and simulations, in particular “The Indiana Experiment: Investigating the Role of Anticipation and Attention in a Dynamic Environment”.
As a researcher I have been involved in diverse research projects. As the Acting Director of the Innovation and Enterprise Lab at the University of Technology, Sydney (2009-2010), I supervised PhD students in several nearby fields. This included leading the researchers working with an internationally competing robot soccer team. My own research was in the “Planning, Communication, and Collaboration in Cognitive Systems: A Constructive Approach”. Last year I also chaired the 2010 Epirob conference (International conference of Epigenetic Robotics), focused on Modelling Cognitive Development in Robotic Systems. Today, I am a part of the LUCS Robotics group, currently working with goal-directed behaviour. Another project I am currently in is ‘‘The meaning of actions - Motor Functions, Intentions and the Brain”, with the Pufendorf Institute.
Research interests
I am interested in how the brain make and organise predictions. For insect prediction research, I use flying insects as they have well developed visual systems that they rely on for flight control, they can be trained, and they have small brains. These features will allow me to examine in detail how the relatively simple insect brain is able to predict future events.
I joined the Vision Group, Lund University, 2011 to begin my research on flying insects. Together with Emily Baird and Marie Dacke, we will study how insects use vision to predict changes in a dynamic environment.
Last modified 17 May 2013
Birger Johansson
Researcher
Cognitive Science
Phone:
+46462223268
E-mail:
Birger.Johansson@lucs.lu.se