Qualitative Reasoning about the Physical World

Abstract

Qualitative physics is the subfield of artificial intelligence which investigates the kinds of representations and reasoning techniques which allow engineers, scientists, and just plain folks to understand and interact with the physical world. For example, Navy trainees learn to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot complex physical systems without needing advanced degrees in physics. Their common sense knowledge is augmented by their technical training and new skills, in order to carry out their tasks. To make computers that are capable of the same kind of flexible reasoning and learning regarding the physical world requires understanding common sense physics well enough to program it.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA266117

Entities

People

  • Ken Forbus

Organizations

  • University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cognitive Science
  • Complex Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Engines
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Fluid Flow
  • Heat Energy
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Physics
  • Technology Transfer
  • Thermodynamic Processes
  • Thermodynamics
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML