Neural Robot Navigation with Foundational and Bio-inspired Models
Speaker
Host
Abstract:
Recent neural robot navigation methods use both end-to-end vector-based and bio-inspired approaches. Foundational models based on reinforcement learning, transformers, or liquid neural networks can be applied for planning, navigation, or visual place recognition. Bio-inspired methods model place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells using continuous attractor networks or spiking neural networks.
My research focuses on both of these approaches. In this seminar, I will present a tutorial on neural robot navigation methods, followed by our method, called Neural Object SLAM, which creates experience maps by training a neural model of place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells using inputs from visual objects and internal sensory data.
Bio:
Dr. Younès Raoui is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences (FSR) in the physics department at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco. His current research focuses on neuro-robotics, navigation and mapping for autonomous mobile robots, and nonlinear and optimal control for mobile robots. He has published numerous journal and conference articles in these areas. He has also held visiting appointments with the Knowledge Technology Lab at the University of Hamburg and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM).
Dr. Younès Raoui earned his PhD in a co-supervision program between Mohammed V University and the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INPT). His doctoral research was conducted at the Laboratoire d Analyse et d Architecture des Systèmes (LAAS-CNRS) and the Faculty of Sciences of Rabat (LIMIARF Lab) team. He obtained a Masters degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Multimedia from the Faculty of Sciences and the National Institute of Posts and Telecommunications (INPT) in Rabat. He also holds a Maîtrise Sciences et Techniques degree in Informatique, Électronique, Électrotechnique et Automatique from the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques in Settat (Morocco).