SPECS Research group

The Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive Systems group SPECS is a multidisciplinary group founded in 2005 by Paul Verschure and since then is part of the Department of Information and Communication Technologies at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) in Barcelona In 2012 SPECS became a member of the Centre for Neuro-Robotics and Autonomous Systems, N-RAS, a new UPF Research Centre coordinated by Paul Verschure. SPECS uses synthetic methods to study and synthesize the neuronal, psychological and behavioural principles underlying perception, emotion and cognition. SPECS activities are organized around three complementary dimensions: Theory of mind and brain Biomimetic real-world artefacts Brain repair and quality of life technologies SPECS is also very much involved in the development of scientific co-operation in the field of Biomimetics and Neurotechnology, as well as in Educational and Outreach activities.