A Schema Based Model of the Praying Mantis

Abstract. We present a schema-based agent architecture inspired by an ethological model of the praying mantis. It includes an inner state, perceptual and motor schemas, several routines, a fovea and a motor. We describe the design and implementation of the architecture and we use it for comparing two models: the former uses reactive, stimulus-response schemas; the latter involves also forward models, which are used by the schemas for generating predictions. Our results show an advantage in using anticipatory components inside the schemas.

Pezzulo, G. & Calvi, G. A Schema Based Model of the Praying Mantis LNAI, From animals to animats 9: Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Simulation of Adaptive Behaviour, Springer Verlag, 2006, LNAI 4095, 211-223