Prof. Valeri A. Makarov, a leading researcher at Lobachevsky University, currently leads a project funded by the Russian Science Foundation to model the nonlinear dynamics and mechanisms of functioning of brain neural networks that are responsible for the cognitive behavior of the individual in a social environment, and to develop artificial intelligence technology controlling navigation of robots. Valeri A. Makarov is also a professor at the Complutense University of Madrid.

The specific objectives are to: (1) develop and study neural networks and (2) to create a prototype of a cognitive ‘core’ that is capable of providing the cognitive navigation of robots.

One of the key issues in this project is to explore how our brain encodes time. Researchers suggest a theoretical concept of compact cognitive maps as a useful means to reveal the nature of the human brain. The concept gives, at first glance, a paradoxical response to this question: the brain does not explicitly encode time.

The process of conversion is carried out. Instead of being encoded, the dynamic situation is transformed in a static cognitive map, i.e. the brain "compresses" or "compacts" time. The thus obtained compact cognitive map enables you to plan movement in the same way as is possible with conventional maps. Additional experiments are ongoing to confirm this hypothesis and to apply findings to the development of Artificial Intelligence technology.