NSL/ASL: simulation of neural based visuomotor systems

Abstract

Through experimentation and simulation scientists are able to get an understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms involved in living organisms. These mechanisms, both structural and behavioral, serve as inspiration in the modeling of neural based architectures as well as in the implementation of robotic systems. Among these, we are particularly motivated in studying animals such as toads, frogs, salamanders and praying mantis that rely on visuomotor coordination. In order to deal with the underlying complexity of these systems, we have developed the NSL/ASL simulation system to enable modeling and simulation at different levels of granularity.