subsumption

Subsumption is a concept in cognitive science, particularly in the study of artificial intelligence and robotics, that refers to the ability of a system to integrate new information into its existing knowledge or behavior. This process occurs when a higher-level concept or principle is encompassed by a lower-level one, allowing the system to refine or modify its performance.

The term "subsumption" was first coined by roboticist Rodney Brooks in the 1980s, who used it to describe the hierarchical organization of control systems in autonomous robots. According to Brooks, subsumption occurs when a higher-level behavior or decision rule is replaced by a lower-level one, resulting in a more efficient or effective performance.

In artificial intelligence and robotics, subsumption is often used to describe the process of integrating new information or sensors into a system's behavior. For example, a robot might initially be programmed to follow a predetermined path, but as it gathers information from sensors about its environment, it can begin to adjust its path in real-time through subsumption.

Subsumption is a key concept in the development of autonomous systems, as it allows them to adapt and learn from their environment. It has applications in fields such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, and intelligent systems, where flexibility and adaptability are essential. By leveraging subsumption, systems can improve their performance, safety, and overall effectiveness, and continue to refine their behavior through continuous learning and adaptation.

The subsumption architecture, proposed by Brooks, is a design framework for building autonomous robots that can integrate new behaviors and sensors through subsumption. It has been influential in the development of many autonomous systems and continues to be a topic of research in the field.