According to a University of
Reading press release, Dr. James
Anderson of Reading's Department
of Computer Science has developed a new way to write computer
programs. Instead of code, he uses a geometrical structure that he calls
a perspective simplex or Perspex. A Perspex exists in Perspex space and,
it is claimed, can do anything a computer program written as
instructions of code can do. The developer alleges the Pespex
"provides one solution to the centuries-old problem of how mind
arises in physical bodies" and "provides a model that is accurate
enough for a robot to use to describe its own mind and body". Dr.
Anderson details his invention in "The Book of
Paragon" which provides a detailed
explanation of the Perspex Machine (PDF format). Meanwhile, the
University website has further information under the more mundane name of
"New
Artificial Neuron" and includes the bizarre statement "In theory,
perspex neurons could process an infinitely long program and thereby
become omniscient, but, in practice, physical limitations force them to
work only with finite programs".
How will the Perspex Machine form
concepts?
If the Robots-Dot-Netters were to begin putting just TWO sensory memory
channels into their robots -- audition
and any other sense (preferably vision)
then the next step to true AI and robot emotions might be a
lot easier. The robot-builders would see how deceptively easy it is to
construct a one-to-one linkage (association) between a word
(e.g., "dog")in auditory memory and an image in visual memory. Then the
Robots-Dot-Netters might be open to the idea of adding a conceptual
memory channel in between the visual memory channel and the auditory
memory channel. Just a thought that I have been spending a lot of time
on. -Mentifex (Arthur)
Isn't Perspex a registered trademark?
Oh, and is there any story that AI4U won't take as an excuse to
link to his site? IMHO posting that people are stupid and they don't
understand the great and one true answer in robotics and AI kind of
misses the point. I think you'll find that association of ideas is a
teeny bit outdated. What is "the" image of a dog? I could have sworn
that pattern matching turned out to be a dead end.
Think I'm wrong? Then build something that works and I'll shut, and
your site will get slashdotted!