A Universal Architecture for Migrating Cognitive Agents

Abstract

In this chapter, the characteristics of a cognitive architecture that can migrate among various embodiments are discussed and the feasibility of designing such architecture is investigated. The migration refers to the ability of an agent to transfer its internal state among different embodiments without altering its underlying cognitive processes. Designing such architecture will address both weak and strong aspects of AI. The authors propose a Universal Migrating Cognitive Agent (UMCA) inspired by onboard autonomous frameworks utilized in interplanetary missions in which the embodiment can be tailored by defining a set of possible actions and perceptions associated with the new body. The proposed architecture is then evaluated within a few virtual environments to analyze the consistency between its deliberative and reactive behaviors. Finally, UMCA is tailored to automatically create computer animations using a natural language interface.