QUT selected by Intel for advanced robotics project

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Centre for Robotics researchers Dr Tobias Fischer, Professor Michael Milford and PhD student Somayeh Hussaini have received a grant from Intel’s Neuromorphic Computing Lab for their project that will use Intel’s Loihi 2 neuromorphic research chip.

Neuromorphic computing is based on the principles of biological neural computation and uses new algorithmic approaches that emulate how the human brain interacts with the world to deliver capabilities closer to human cognition.

The chip uses spiking neural networks (SNNs), which are novel computer models that closely resemble the neurons in our brains and simulate natural learning by dynamically re-mapping neural networks, to make decisions in response to learned patterns over time.

“Simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) algorithms are at the heart of autonomous mobile vehicles deployed in unknown, GPS-deprived or dynamic environments,” Fischer said.

“Our project will focus on Visual Place Recognition, a particularly challenging part of SLAM that requires robust recognition and discrimination of hundreds of thousands of locations in different conditions.

“This will include ‘slow’ adaptation (urban vs rural or day vs night) as well as ‘fast’ adaptation (sudden onset of rain, entering tunnels). Continuous adaptation is very challenging as it is impossible to cover all environment variations in the training data,” he said.

QUT Centre of Robotics Joint Director Professor Michael Milford said to overcome this challenge, the QUT research team from the School of Electrical Engineering & Robotics took inspiration from the animal kingdom.

“Many animals display remarkable navigation capabilities, solving large-scale memory formation and recognition problems with unprecedented efficiency, flexibility and robustness,” Milford said.

“New features of Intel’s Loihi-2 enable more complex neuronal models, making it well positioned to implement the next generation of biologically inspired navigation and map formation algorithms that could surpass today’s state-of-the-art in the field.”

The QUT research project team has been closely collaborating with Intel to design algorithms. Collaborative partners include Intel Labs research scientists Dr Yulia Sandamirskaya and Dr Garrick Orchard, as well as Dr Andreas Wild, manager of software and algorithms.

“Neuromorphic computing opens exciting new possibilities in computing, especially when it comes to robotics,” said Mike Davies, director of Intel’s Neuromorphic Computing Lab.

“Loihi 2 greatly improves the speed, programmability and capacity of neuromorphic computing, which enables it to support more difficult optimisation problems.

“We look forward to seeing how the QUT researchers utilise Loihi 2 to solve problems related to continuous adaptability and expand the scope of today’s robots.

Image credit: iStock.com/DKosig