Contradictions-Based Development in Robotics: Meanings Emergence and Concepts Formation For Communication, and Words Acquisition

Abstract

By following the guidelines of Cultural-Historical Activity Theory and the dialectic logic, this paper proposes a contradiction-based qualitative methodology for developmental robotics, in contrast with the direct associationist and quantitative aspects of the current methodologies. The proposed methodology considers that the agent-environment interaction is indirectly and dialectically structured through the emergence of meanings as the outcome of coupling the contraries through the relationship of negation. Hence, the functional qualitative reflection will be realized by abstracting the phenomenon’s substance. Moreover, a preliminary experiment of a humanoid NAO robot is represented to reflect the main ideas of the proposed framework. It is shown how mental functions can emerge based on contradictions-based development, e.g., communication and symbol emergence, concepts formation, active perception, and words acquisition. Also, it is discussed how the agent’s personification and socialization are supported.