ABSTRACT
Intelligent machines [1,2] have been attracting increased attention and interest worldwide. Such machines have the capability to sense both expected and unex pected changes in their work environment and take appropriate actions quickly and efficiently. IBM Corporation’s Deep Blue computer [3], which played the game of chess against Kasparov, is an example of an intelligent machine in action against a human. The current accelerated pace of technological progress holds an excellent promise to make significant advances in many emerging application ar eas: for example, the development of smart automobiles that would avoid colli sions, insect-size sensors that would detect sub-surface deadly mines, and intelli gent refrigerators that would withhold unhealthy foods from dieters. The basic challenge in the area of intelligent machines is to integrate computers, sensors, controllers, actuators, software, and machines that would lead to devices that are adaptive, flexible, and robust. In this chapter, in addition to presenting the basic concepts related to intelligent machines, several areas of their application are dis cussed. This is followed by a description of intelligent systems and of the re sources invested in research by the US National Science Foundation. Several ex amples of projects supported under the Learning and Intelligent Systems (LIS) program and the Knowledge and Distributed Intelligence (KDI) initiative are given. The chapter concludes with a discussion of research challenges in the area of intelligent machines.
