Intelligent machines

In the field of artificial intelligence, robotics, computer simulation and control theory, SIUC's Henry Hexmoor, an SIUC computer science professor, finds "ways to make computers do what humans do."

According to the News Service Release,

Hexmoor wants to find ways to make multiple machines — called "agents" — share a single objective, but work independently and cooperatively to achieve it. [boldface added]. One such experiment, for example, replicates the sidewalk dilemma, where several robotic agents are trying to pass through roughly the same space at about the same time.
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Hexmoor has received about $2 million in research contracts over the years. Most recently, he received a $35,000 subcontract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to examine human control of a 'community' of five robots. Hexmoor's SIUC students will assist in writing the software for the project, he said.

U.S. Department of Defense wants 'agents' that can "seek to identify and engage multiple 'targets" according the SIUC press release. "The current trend in military operations is to emphasize off-site control of remote equipment, like unmanned aircraft."

Hexmoor explained, We want to capture the spirit of what the humans want done and translate that to a machine.'"

In other words Hexmoor is building a T-800 model that won't bump into itself.

Here's the press release: Professor trying to add 'smarts' to computers.