Recently, motion generation by machine learning has been actively researched to automate various tasks. Imitation is one such method that learns motions from data collected in advance. However, executing long-term tasks remains challenging. Therefore, a novel framework for imitation proposed solve this problem. The comprises upper and lower layers, where the layer model, whose timescale long, s...

Imitation offers a powerful mechanism for knowledge acquisition, particularly for intelligent agents (like infants) that lack the ability to transfer knowledge using language. Several algorithms and models have recently been proposed for imitation learning in humans and robots. However, few proposals offer a framework for imitation learning in noisy stochastic environments where the imitator mu...

Humans have an automatic tendency to imitate others. Previous studies on how we control these tendencies have focused on reactive mechanisms, where inhibition of imitation is implemented after seeing an action. This work suggests that reactive control of imitation draws on at least partially specialized mechanisms. Here, we examine preparatory imitation control, where advance information allows...

Imitation is a complex behaviour built on many different cognitive components. This review examines whether the mirror system provides a unitary brain system, dedicated to imitation. The data suggests we can distinguish a visuomotor stream which permits both imitation and other visual-to-motor transformations, and also a top-down control mechanism. Working together, these systems permit both so...

This paper summarises some previously published work on imitation, experimentation (or innovation) and aspiration thresholds using the FEARLUS modelling system and reports new work with FEARLUS extending these studies. Results are discussed in the context of existing literature on imitation and innovation in related contexts. A form of imitation in which land uses are selected on the criterion ...

The functional maturity of the newborn infant’s brain, the resemblances between neonatal imitation and imitation in adults and the possibly lateralized neonatal imitation suggest that the mirror neuron system may contribute to neonatal imitation. Newborn infants not only imitate but also initiate previously imitated gestures, and are able to participate in overlapping imitation–initiation commu...

The meaning, mechanism, and function of imitation in early infancy have been actively discussed since Meltzoff and Moore's (1977) report of facial and manual imitation by human neonates. Oostenbroek et al. (2016) claim to challenge the existence of early imitation and to counter all interpretations so far offered. Such claims, if true, would have implications for theories of social-cognitive de...

In order to shed lights on the cognitive representations likely to underlie early vocal imitation, we tried to simulate Kuhl and Meltzoff's experiment (1996), using Bayesian robotics and a statistical model of the vocal tract that had been fitted to pre-babblers' actual vocalizations. It was shown that audition is compulsory to account for infants' early vocal imitation performance, inasmuch as...