Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition
Encyclopedia
The Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) is a not-for-profit research institute
headquartered in Pensacola, Florida
with scientists and engineers investigating topics related to understanding cognition
in both humans and machines.
and Alberto Cañas on the University of West Florida
Campus in 1990 - growing out of the computer science
and psychology
departments.
In 2004, IHMC became an independent statewide research institute. Currently, IHMC is affiliated with Florida Atlantic University
, Florida Institute of Technology
, the University of Central Florida
, and the University of West Florida
.
In 2007, IHMC was awarded the EDA
's Excellence in Economic Development Award for its impact on downtown Pensacola.
In January 2010, IHMC opened a new research facility in downtown Ocala, Florida.
, artificial intelligence
and biologically-inspired systems. The underlying mission is the creation of useful technological systems to leverage and extend human
cognitive, physical
, and perceptual capacities. Current active research areas include: knowledge modeling
and sharing, adjustable autonomy, robotics
, advanced interfaces and displays, communication
and collaboration
, computer-mediated learning systems, intelligent data understanding, software agents, biologically inspired network security
, expertise studies, work practice simulation
, knowledge representation
, and other related areas.
IEEE Computer Society
had a good article about IHMC, Thinking Outside the Box at the IHMC.
campus, IHMC relocated to downtown Pensacola
in 1999. IHMC currently is located in three buildings in Pensacola
. Additionally, IHMC renovated the old Ocala Library in downtown Ocala, FL to house a IHMC's new central Florida location.
Research institute
A research institute is an establishment endowed for doing research. Research institutes may specialize in basic research or may be oriented to applied research...
headquartered in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
with scientists and engineers investigating topics related to understanding cognition
Cognition
In science, cognition refers to mental processes. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions. Cognition is studied in various disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science...
in both humans and machines.
History
IHMC was founded by Kenneth M. FordKenneth M. Ford
Ken Ford is founder and director of the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition .Kenneth Ford is Founder and CEO of the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition — a not-for-profit research institute located in Pensacola, Florida...
and Alberto Cañas on the University of West Florida
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in...
Campus in 1990 - growing out of the computer science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
departments.
In 2004, IHMC became an independent statewide research institute. Currently, IHMC is affiliated with Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University, also referred to as FAU or Florida Atlantic, is a public, coeducational, research university located in , United States. The university has six satellite campuses located in the Florida cities of Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and in Fort...
, Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
, the University of Central Florida
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
, and the University of West Florida
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in...
.
In 2007, IHMC was awarded the EDA
EDA
- Organizations :* Eating Disorders Association, a British medical charity organization, known as beat since February 2007* Economic Development Administration, US agency providing economic grants to communities* Ejército del Aire, Spanish Air Force...
's Excellence in Economic Development Award for its impact on downtown Pensacola.
In January 2010, IHMC opened a new research facility in downtown Ocala, Florida.
Current research
Research at IHMC focuses on human-centered computingHuman-centered computing
Human-centered computing is an emerging, interdisciplinary academic field broadly concerned with computing and computational artifacts as they relate to the human condition...
, artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
and biologically-inspired systems. The underlying mission is the creation of useful technological systems to leverage and extend human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
cognitive, physical
Physical
Physical may refer to:*Body, the physical structure of an organism**Human body, the physical structure of a human*Physical abuse, abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm...
, and perceptual capacities. Current active research areas include: knowledge modeling
Knowledge modeling
Knowledge modeling is a process of creating a computer interpretable model of knowledge or standard specifications about a kind of process and/or about a kind of facility or product...
and sharing, adjustable autonomy, robotics
Robotics
Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots...
, advanced interfaces and displays, communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
and collaboration
Collaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
, computer-mediated learning systems, intelligent data understanding, software agents, biologically inspired network security
Network security
In the field of networking, the area of network security consists of the provisions and policies adopted by the network administrator to prevent and monitor unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of the computer network and network-accessible resources...
, expertise studies, work practice simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
, knowledge representation
Knowledge representation
Knowledge representation is an area of artificial intelligence research aimed at representing knowledge in symbols to facilitate inferencing from those knowledge elements, creating new elements of knowledge...
, and other related areas.
IEEE Computer Society
IEEE Computer Society
The IEEE Computer Society is a professional society of IEEE. Its purpose and scope is “to advance the theory, practice, and application of computer and information processing science and technology” and the “professional standing of its members.” The CS is the largest of 38 technical societies...
had a good article about IHMC, Thinking Outside the Box at the IHMC.
Scientific & Technical (S&T) staff
Currently there are over 80 (S&T) staff members at IHMC, many of whom are leading figures in their research fields. A full list of IHMC staff, with biographies and other information, is available via the IHMC website. IHMC (S&T)Facilities
Originally housed on the UWFUWF
UWF may refer to:*The University of West Florida*The Universal Wrestling Federation , an American professional wrestling promotion, started by Bill Watts...
campus, IHMC relocated to downtown Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
in 1999. IHMC currently is located in three buildings in Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
. Additionally, IHMC renovated the old Ocala Library in downtown Ocala, FL to house a IHMC's new central Florida location.