Modeling sensory motor control

Daniel Gardner in The Neurobiology of Neural Networks (1993) calls for a more neuromorphic generation of artificial neural networks. He states in his preface: "For neural network modelers, especially those without a background in the life sciences, the book critically examines aspects of network models that are likely to be both computationally significant and comparable to our current view of real neurons and synapses and the networks they form." Succinctly stated in its preface is Gardner's thesis: "It is a series of variations on a single theme: that both artificial neural networks and neurobiology will benefit by a partial synthesis of their disparate natures". The October/November 1998 issue of Neural Networks, entitled "Neural Control and Robotics: Biology and Technology", reflected Gardner's view. Further, Randall Beer's (1990) book contains a description of spiking neurons, designed for the purpose of control rather than of memory. Artificial neural circuits, created to act as controllers rather than as memories, are the theme of all of the above mentioned works. It is with the above in mind that the author is implementing two models which will offer the chance of studying neural control mechanisms.