A psychoanalytically-inspired motivational and emotional system for autonomous agents

When developing autonomous agents, the problem of motivation poses one of the key questions. Following a bionic approach inspired by psychoanalysis, a multi-level motivational system to enable autonomous agents to pursue their own agenda and cope with their internal and external environment is presented. Considering embodiment, both homeostatic (extrinsic) and non-homeostatic (intrinsic) internal motivations are modeled. In particular, drives, which are represented on multiple levels, are modeled as the motivational element for agents´ actions. Representing an additional level of motivations, emotions are integrated as a co-determinant of decision making.