Dynamic Local Space Memory

This video shows the content of Ernesto's local space memory in the previous experiment. It gives a representation of what Ernesto knows about his surrounding environment. Objects appear as arcs because Ernesto ignores their thickness and only knows their average distance and their span in his visual field.

At each instant, Ernesto focuses his attention on a particular place in space represented by a point (most often magenta but sometimes black, red, or pink). Additionally, Ernesto flashes yellow when he eats a fish and pink when he cuddles with Ernestine.

Ernesto's sensory system is sensible to the relative movement of the place of attention. This relative movement is represented by a speed vector attached to the magenta point. This direct sensibility to relative movement is consistent with neuro-physiological theories such as Alain Berthoz's (1997).

This video shows that Ernest's attention is still very scattered. A more elaborated control of attention is probably needed.

Reference
Berthoz A. (1997) Le sens du mouvement. Odile Jacob: Paris.

Ernest 11

Ernest 11 can handle dynamic environments. This video presents two instances of Ernests named Ernesto and Ernestine. Ernesto is the one that has no pelvic fins (on the right at the beginning). Like Ernests 10.5, Ernests 11 enjoy cuddling with each other.

Ernests 11 can adjust the pace of their actions. Such adjustment allows them to slow down or to accelerate, and to turn and translate simultaneously. For example, on steps 93 and 112, Ernesto slows down to catch a fish that comes towards him. Conversely, on step 310, Ernestine accelerates to catch a fish that is running away.

(This video on Youtube)