A. Kotov & S. Shishkin feat P. Richter: Cognitive technologies inspired by Boris M. Velichkovsky

Abstract
In 1982, a book entitled "Modern Cognitive Psychology" was published. The title
could sound quite traditional, but -- it was published in Soviet Union, where, at that time, Western psychology was almost totally banned by Communist ideologists and the very word "cognitive" was almost fully excluded from academic discourse. The book opened to Russian-speaking scientists and students the rich world of the contemporary approaches to the machinery of mind. Many years later, the author, Boris Mitrofanovich Velichkovsky, returned to post-Communist Russia after his successful academic career in Germany and Canada and established the Institute of Cognitive Studies at Kurchatov Institute.

We will discuss the research directions inspired and initiated by Boris Velichkovsky in Russia based on some examples from our work. In particular, they are related to multimodal human-machine interfaces, which are considered as a mean to either "merge" an operator and a device (providing control accompanied by strong feeling of agency) or to create a comfortable interaction between a user and an autonomous artificial actor (e.g., a companion robot). Examples will include attempts to develop gaze interaction enhanced with passive EEG and MEG braincomputer interfaces and the studies with the F-2 robot, which provides emotional feedback via speech, gestures, facial expressions and gaze. Peter Richter will introduce to the talk with some personal notes on Boris Velichkovsky.
 

Website of Artemy Kotov
Website of Sergei Shishkin

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