Abstract

Perception-action cycle is the circular flow of
information that takes place between an organism and its
environment in the course of a sensory-guided sequence of
actions towards a goal. Each action causes changes in the
environment which are processed by the organism’s sensory
hierarchy and lead to the generation of further action by its
motor effectors. These actions cause new changes that are
sensory analyzed and lead to a new action, and so the cycle
continues. The efficient and timely coordination of the sensory
and motor structures involved will ensure the organism’s
survival in a dynamic environment. Two brain inspired
cognitive models of the perception-action cycle are presented in
this paper: (1) A cognitive model of visual saliency, overt
attention and active visual search, and (2) A cognitive model of
visuo-motor coordination of reaching and grasping. Both
models are multi-modular. They share a number of features
(visual saliency, focus of attention, recognition, expectation,
resonance, value attribution), while at the same time have
distinct properties.