CERA-CRANIUM: a test bed for machine consciousness research

Abstract

This paper describes a novel framework designed as a test bed for machine consciousness cognitive models (MCCM). This MCCM experimentation framework is based on a generalpurpose cognitive architecture that can be integrated in different environments and confronted with different problem domains. The definition of a generic cognitive control system for abstract agents is the root of the versatility of the presented framework. The proposed control system, which is inspired in the major cognitive theories of consciousness, provides mechanisms for both sensory data acquisition and motor action execution. Sensory and motor data is represented in the proposed architecture using different level workspaces where percepts and actions are generated thanks to the competition and collaboration of specialized processors. Additionally, this cognitive architecture provides the means to modulate perception and behavior; in other words, it offers an interface for a higher control layer to drive the way percepts and actions are generated and how they interact with each other. This mechanism permits the experimentation with virtually any high level cognitive model of consciousness. An illustrative application scenario, autonomous explorer robots, is also reviewed in this work.