Page 140 - Modern Robotics Building Versatile Macines

120 Modern Robotics

Kismet did not actually understand the words spoken to it.
It perceived the intonation and rhythms of human speech and
identified them as corresponding to emotional states. If a visitor
addressed Kismet with tones of friendly praise (as perhaps one
might a baby or a dog), the robot moved to a “happy” emotional

Kismet had four main levels of behavior. The primitive level tightly coupled
sensors and effectors, creating the equivalent of reflexes. The skills level could
combine and coordinate motor skills to create more complex movements. The
behavior level applied “drives” and other criteria to decide on an overall strat-
egy for behavior. Finally, the social level sought to determine how the robot’s
human partner would respond.