Computational modeling of spatial cognition in rats and robotic experimentation: Goal-oriented navigation and place recognition in multiple directions

A computational model of spatial cognition in rats is used to control an autonomous mobile robot while solving a spatial task within a cyclic maze. In this paper we evaluate the robotpsilas behavior in terms of place recognition in multiple directions and goal-oriented navigation against the results derived from experimenting with laboratory rats solving the same spatial task in a similar maze. We provide a general description of the bio-inspired model, and a comparative behavioral analysis between rats and robot.