Interview with Michael Milford – using artificial intelligence for robotic navigation

My primary interests are in the fields of spatial intelligence – how we can develop better navigation and positioning systems for robots and autonomous vehicles. My main research approach involves using a combination of traditional algorithmic approaches, modern deep learning and biologically-inspired approaches, both in terms of software and hardware. Spatial intelligence is one of the most tangible aspects of general intelligence, and hence it's a great gateway by which to progress our understanding and development of intelligence in robotics. For example, spatial intelligence can be directly observed in the brain, where multiple navigationally-relevant neurons like "place cells" can be observed, and modelled in software to create better performing robotic systems. From a technical point of view, autonomous vehicles are very good but not yet sufficiently perfect to be practicable.