Computational motor control
Summary
The course gives (1) a review of different types of numerical models of control of locomotion and movement in animals, (2) a presentation of different techniques for designing models, and (3) an analysis of the use and testing of those models in robotics and neuroprosthetics.
Content
- General concepts: Importance of numerical models in a scientific approach, introduction to nonlinear dynamical systems and neural network models.
- Numerical models of motor systems : Neural network models of control of locomotion, rhythm generation in central pattern generators, reflexes, force fields, sensory-motor coordination, and balance control.
- Numerical models of the musculo-skeletal system: muscle models, biomechanical models of locomotion, gait classification, applications to bio-inspired robots.
- Numerical models of arm movements: invariants of human arm movements, different hypotheses about human motor control: inverse models and equilibrium point hypothesis. Muscle synergies.
- Numerical models of sensory systems : Proprioception and vestibular system. Visual processing in the retina, salamander and primate visual systems, applications to machine vision.
- Neuroprosthetics: short overview of current developments, analysis of how modeling can be used to improve interfaces between machines and the central nervous system
- Numerical exercises: The course will also involve numerical exercises in which students will develop their own numerical simulations of sensory-motor systems in Python, Matlab and in Webots, a dynamical robot simulator (with weekly sessions with assistants and the professor).
Keywords
Numerical models of animal motor control, locomotion, biomechanics, neural control of movement, numerical models
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Recommended courses
None
Important concepts to start the course
Programming in Python, Matlab, good mathematical background (dynamical systems)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Argue about the validity of models
- Formulate models of motor control
- Hypothesize mechanisms of motor control
- Design models of motor control
- Test the models
Transversal skills
- Write a scientific or technical report.
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Teaching methods
Lectures and numerical exercises on a computer using Python, Matlab and FARMS, a dynamic simulator of animals and robots (with weekly sessions with assistants and the professor)
Expected student activities
- Attending lectures
- Read scientific articles
- Develop numerical models of the locomotor control circuits of a simulated animal in Python and FARMS
- Writting short scientific reports describing the models and analyzing the results of the simulations
Assessment methods
Written exam (50%) and a series of reports for the numerical exercises (50%)
Supervision
| Office hours | No |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | Yes |
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Computational motor control
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks