Adjusting Autonomy by Introspection

摘要

Let's consider a device as a complex machine that appears capable of tasks commonly performed by intelligent organisms. An automobile equipped with cruise-control, road-sensitive traction, and self-inflating tires is such a device. Such devices receive input from the environment and follow an algorithm provided by the device designer to produce an output. In general, devices cannot tell how well they perform. Furthermore, devices may only manipulate a fixed ontology of their surrounding. I.e., they represent things in the world in a fixed way. Many robotic applications would qualify them as devices. To the extent, if a system can be aware of its performance and can improve its pre-programmed ability to interact with its surrounding, or can alter its ontology it is autonomous. Autonomy is self-governance over output. A system such as smart chessplaying programs can be intelligent without being autonomous. This notion of autonomy is desirable in systems such as autonomous space applications needed in long-duration space missions.