Emergence in Asa H

Some simple concepts can be learned directly from sensory primitives.  A Lego NXT robot running Asa H software can:

sense an object inside its gripper's jaws at time step 1

close the gripper at time step 2

feel forces on the gripper jaws at time step 3

In this way Asa H learns the "grasp" concept.  If an observer inputs the word "grasp" at the same time then Asa H associates this name with the concept it learns.

As another example of a low level concept Asa H can learn:

with the robot moving forward at time step 1

sensing an object far ahead at time step 1

with the robot moving forward at time step 2

sensing an object near ahead at time step 2

sense a force of frontal impact at time step 3

In this way Asa H learns the "collision" concept.  If an observer inputs the word "collision" at the same time then Asa H associates this name with the concept it learns.

At the next higher level up in the Asa H hierarchical case memory Asa H learns:

sensing a collision at time step 1*

(some) sensor input sticking high (failing) at time step 2*

(some) sensor input sticking high at time step 3*

(some) sensor input sticking high at time step 4*

etc.......

In this way Asa H learns the higher level concept "damage."  Again, if an observer sees the sensor
fall off and inputs the word "damage" then Asa H associates this name with the concept it learns.

Some of the important concepts that Asa H needs to know are at still higher levels in the case memory hierarchy.  These concepts emerge after the lower level concepts have been developed.