Queue-based agent communication architecture for intelligent human-like computer interfaces

Human-like computer interaction systems requires far more than just simple speech input/output. Such a system should communicate with the user verbally, using a conversational style language. It should be aware of its surroundings and use this context for any decisions it makes. As a synthetic character, it should have a computer generated human-like appearance. This, in turn, should be used to convey emotions, expressions and gestures. Finally, and perhaps most important of all, the system should interact with the user in real time, in a fluent and believable manner.

Robots can't really be intelligent can they?

The whole concept of just what is and what is not, intelligence is a vitally important one. As humans interact more with machines, so the similarities and differences between human and machine intelligence need to be looked at in a sensible, scientific way. This paper considers human and machine intelligence and links them closely to physical characteristics, as exhibited by robots. Potential interfaces between humans and machines are also considered, as is the state of the art in direct physical links between humans and machines.

Intelligent methods for load forecasting

Load forecasting is an important task in the management of a power utility. The most recent developments in forecasting involve the use of artificial intelligence techniques, which offer powerful modelling capabilities. This paper discusses these techniques and provides a review of their application to load forecasting.

Recent developments in intelligent control

Intelligent control, as a discipline, has certainly been one of main growth areas in the field of control systems over the last 5-10 years. Although the topic is relatively new in itself, a number of other research areas, some of them well established, have effectively been swallowed up under the overall intelligent control umbrella. This paper defines intelligent control and identifies the main sub-areas in which significant progress has been made and likely fruitful topics to pursue in the future.

Detection of faults in a high speed packaging machine using a multilayer perceptron (MLP)

In high speed manufacturing systems, continuous operation is desirable, with minimal disruption for repairs and service. An intelligent diagnostic monitoring system, designed to detect developing faults before catastrophic failure, or prior to undesirable reduction in output quality, is a good means of achieving this. Artificial neural networks have already been found to be of value in fault diagnosis of machinery. The aim here is to provide a system capable of detecting a number of faults, in order that maintenance can be scheduled in advance of sudden failure, and to reduce the necessity to replace parts at intervals based on mean time between failures. Instead, parts will need to be replaced only when necessary. Analysis of control information in the form of position error data from two servomotors is described.