Solving meta-tool problem like a crow
Keywords: tool using, meta-tool, TAMP
Abstract: In 1972, Alcock proposed a dichotomy of tool use in animals, distinguishing between "stereotyped tool use" in invertebrates and fish and "flexible tool use" in birds and mammals. This dichotomy spurred a deeper exploration of causal tool use in non-human animals. Meta-tool use, exemplifying the use of tools to create or obtain more complex tools, has been a key driver of technological evolution in both humans and crows. This essay delves into the challenges crows face when completing meta-tool use tasks, which include analogical reasoning, inhibiting direct responses, and hierarchically organized behavior. Moreover, it explores the transition from crows to intelligent agents, specifically in the context of task and motion planning (TAMP) in robotics. The essay concludes by highlighting the efficiency of TAMP in addressing meta-tool use tasks while acknowledging ongoing challenges, such as tool selection complexities and system integration risks. This pursuit of understanding and improving meta-tool use tasks remains an essential and valuable endeavor.
Submission Number: 99
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