Rat-inspired model of robot target learning and place recognition

We present a model designed on the basis of the rat's brain neurophysiology to provide a robot with spatial cognition and goal-oriented navigation capabilities. We describe target learning and place recognition processes in rats as basis for topological map building and exploitation by robots. We experiment with the model in different maze configurations by training a robot to find the goal starting from a fixed location, and by testing it to reach the same target from new different starting locations.