An on-going research initiative at MIT is exploring the possibility of granting cognitive abilities to underwater robots empowering them to take independent decisions.

There are several projects that require the robots to work in underwater; however, the challenge with underwater robots is that programing them to do even the simplest of tasks is quite a lengthy process, said reports. This is primarily because of the difficult working conditions presented to the machine. From visibility to movement, everything becomes different when dealing with underwater working conditions. However, reports on Live Science are indicating that an on-going research initiative at MIT could actually be exploring the possibility of a solution to this problem.

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The research at MIT is focused on developing a new programing approach where underwater robots will be programed with cognitive abilities. This in turn will empower them to make independent decisions minimizing the need of human supervision.

Additional reports on Discovery also point out that MIT's approach is based on the success of the time tested top and down command systems. In the event of giving the robots cognitive abilities, projects will become easier to implement since the machines will think for themselves, execute and even modify their action by adapting to the situation. The programing will be based on giving the machines, options to choose from.

Previously, a similar approach was implemented in a NASA project floated in the 1990's. This project included autonomous functions for satellites, probes and a few space crafts as well. In addition to its research, MIT is also focusing on the practical testing of this theory.

Recently, they tested an underwater system with autonomous abilities in a part of Australian water coast and are already planning to present the concept officially at the International Conference on Automated Planning and Scheduling in Israel in June, this year itself. 

TagsScience news, scientists news, Robotic technology news