Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
11:53
The Modular Design and Production of an Intelligent Robot Based on a Closed-Loop Control Strategy
Published on: October 14, 2017
The iCub humanoid robot: an open-systems platform for research in cognitive development
Giorgio Metta1, Lorenzo Natale, Francesco Nori
1Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Italy. pasa@liralab.it
Summary
The iCub is an open-system humanoid robot platform designed for cognitive development research. Its open design fosters collaboration and resource sharing among researchers worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Cognitive Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Collaborative research in cognitive development requires a robust platform.
- Existing platforms lack sufficient perceptuo-motor capabilities and open-system architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the iCub, a humanoid robot platform for cognitive development research.
- To highlight the benefits of an open-system approach in robotics research.
Main Methods:
- The iCub platform is an open-system design.
- It features rich perceptuo-motor capabilities and a cognitive architecture.
- A supportive infrastructure encourages collaboration and resource sharing.
Main Results:
- The iCub platform has been delivered to multiple research labs globally.
- It comprises approximately 5000 mechanical and electrical parts.
- A growing community of users and developers has adopted the iCub.
Conclusions:
- The iCub platform effectively supports collaborative research in cognitive development.
- Its open-system design promotes innovation and accessibility in developmental robotics.
- The platform's widespread adoption indicates its utility and potential for future research.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Cognition and Behavior
Social psychology examines the complex interplay between individual mental processes and social interactions. Historically, the field was divided into two domains: social behavior and social cognition. Researchers focusing on social behavior analyzed actions within social contexts, such as conformity, aggression, or cooperation. Meanwhile, social cognition researchers investigated how people perceive, interpret, and mentally represent their social environments. However, modern perspectives no...
01:21Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
01:20Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology is the field of psychology dedicated to examining how people think. It attempts to explain how and why we think the way we do by studying the interactions among human thinking, emotion, creativity, language, and problem-solving, as well as other cognitive processes. Cognitive psychology studies how information is processed and manipulated in remembering, thinking, and knowing.
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...
01:22Vygotsky's Cognitive Development in Cultural Context
Lev Vygotsky, a pioneering Russian psychologist, developed a theory of cognitive development that centers on the influence of social and cultural factors. Unlike Jean Piaget, who emphasized the child's direct interaction with the physical world as key to development, Vygotsky argued that cognitive growth is an interpersonal process that unfolds within a cultural context. For Vygotsky, a child's learning cannot be separated from their social environment, which includes the values, beliefs, and...
01:25Control Systems: Applications
Electrical engineering plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, with control systems at the heart of many applications, from home appliances to sophisticated space shuttles. Control systems manage and regulate the behavior of devices and processes, ensuring they function safely, correctly, and efficiently.
In modern vehicles, control systems manage various functions to enhance performance and safety. The steering wheel and accelerator are primary inputs in a car's control system. The direction...
In modern vehicles, control systems manage various functions to enhance performance and safety. The steering wheel and accelerator are primary inputs in a car's control system. The direction...