TRAINCREASE – From Social Interaction to Abstract Concepts and Words: Towards Human-centered Technology Development

With smart robotics already playing a role in our daily lives, it is important to consider the design of mixed human–computer systems or human–machine interactions. However, some ambitious tasks such as the attempt to translate abstract concepts into computing systems rely on deep interdisciplinary convergence. The EU-funded TRAINCREASE project promotes interdisciplinary research in this emerging field, boosting understanding and use of abstract concepts and words in human interaction and their application to human–machine collaboration. The project initiate a twinning collaboration that will improve the R&I potential of the University of Warsaw (UW) through the cooperation with the University of Manchester, UK, the Sapienza University of Rome and Aarhus University in Denmark. Joint activities will result in increased research skills and enhanced UW reputation and visibility.

The project is aimed at strengthening the interdisciplinary field of research on the emergence, understanding and use of abstract concepts and words in human interaction, and its application to human-machine collaboration. The main goal is to strengthen the research and innovation potential of the UW as part of European Research Area (ERA) as well as its reputation and visibility in the ERA and worldwide through the collaboration with University of Manchester (UMan), Sapienza University of Rome (Uniroma1) and Aarhus University. The three partners are especially well suited to collaborate towards the objectives: UMan provides expertise in computational modeling of abstract concepts and words in the context of developmental robotics. Uniroma1 provides a strong theoretical background and expertise in experimental research, including neuroimaging studies. AU provides a complementary anthropological perspective and expertise in naturalistic research on the social dimension of abstraction. UW provides expertise in ecological approach to abstraction and in dynamical systems theory and methods, which has integratory potential for the field.

The objectives are achieved by a series of joint activities logically planned to increase excellence both in the field and in the UW’s research and management potential: Theory Building and exchange of Complementary Methods; staff, ESRs and administratiion project-targeted exchanges, including a novel scheme for hands-on training (Microtwinning); joint publications and joint grant applications. The Twinning results in the staff’s and ESRs’ increased research skills in the field, which is envisioned as one of the most crucial for the cognitive sciences and its exchanges with AI, stabilization of the improvements through structural and curriculum changes, transfer of skills to the grant-managing staff and through development of stable connection within ERA and with non-academic stakeholders as a reliable collaborator and leader.