This talk
described two related research projects pursuing the
understanding of complex interaction dynamics at two
levels: macro and micro. The macro level is addressed
by research into the synthesis and analysis of group
behaviors with a collection of mobile robots.
The robots
have been demonstrated to perform various cooperative
group behaviors (including aggregation, dispersion,
following, flocking, homing, and foraging) and group
learning of foraging and social rules. The micro level
is addressed by research into the mechanisms of learning
through imitation, involving a collection of cognitive
systems involved in perception, recognition, memory,
and motor control.
