R and D review

Collaborative projects announced

A number of collaborative projects has been announced by Logica to develop expert systems in fields such as medicine, industrial formulation and VLSI circuit design.

VLSI circuit design Logica will be collaborating with the Engineering Department at Cambridge University to apply knowledge-based systems techniques to the design of VLSI circuits. The study, awarded by the Alvey Directorate, will examine ways of ensuring 'correctness'.

One method, known as specifi- cation transformation, is to write an original design specification in a very high level language and then trans- form it step by step into a hardware description. Each step in the process preserves correctness so that the final hardware description can be guaran- teed to accurately correspond to the original specification. The hardware architecture produced in this way can then be implemented using con- ventional computer aided tools.

The study will formally define the semantics of the specification language, and will look at how knowledge-based software can assist in the intricate transformation sequence by coordinating the individual transforms and partially automating the process.

Product formulation The development of an expert system to support the formulation of indus- trial products has been announced. Logica developed the system using experience gained as part of the Alvey Product Formulation Expert System (PFES) project.

The PFES project, undertaken by a consortium of Shell Research, Schering Agrochemicals and Logica, investigated the application of knowledge-based techniques to the formulation of lubricating oils and agrochemicals.

Typical tasks that are undertaken in the formulation of these and other products, such as cleaning agents, paints, glues and foodstuffs, include

selecting a suitable mix of compo- nent materials and testing, analysing and adjusting the mix until a saleable formulation is derived.

Diagnostic expert system Logica has also been collaborating with four organizations to develop an expert system to aid physicians diagnose diseases of the muscles and nerves using the technique of electro- myography (EMG).

The other organizations involved in the ESPRIT sponsored project are the Institute of Neurology at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London, Computer Resources International, Judex and the University of Alborg in Denmark. Logica has now been granted an extension to the project to implement the expert system. The system will have to be able to inte- grate with existing EMG equipment. The work will take a further 35 man years.

Logica's human-computer inter-

action specialists are analysing the features which will make the system acceptable to physicians and others likely to invest in commercial pro- ducts arising from the project. One way of enhancing user acceptability, which was explored in prototypes in the first phase, is to have the expert system support the doctor as a cooperative assistant to make the most of his or her own expertise.

A major feature of the resulting system will be its ability to browse through the medical information collected, rather like an electronic encyclopedia. Sophisticated users interfaces will be needed to navigate complex cross-references, and to allow physicians to annotate and extend existing data.

The browser will be a multi-media system drawing on Logica's expertise in interactive video and natural language processing techniques to provide the user with pictures, bibliographies and text. Its application is clearly not limited to the medical field. (Logica plc, 64 Newman Street, London WIA 4SE, UK. Tel." 01-637 9111, Telex: 27200) L-3

Breakthrough AI training system

A marketing deal has been signed by Apollo Computer Inc and Advanced Training Technology Associates (ATTA), whose artificial intelligence software will cut the time taken to produce computer based training (CBT) courseware by a factor of up to 10. ATTA's software, TASTE, will be available from mid- 1988 bundled with Apollo's high performance UNIX workstations as a turnkey system for trainers. Revenues in excess of £4m during the first 18 months of trading are anticipated.

With prototypes of the intelligent TASTE software due early next year, ATTA had been seeking an appro- priate hardware host for all main- stream sales to training consultants and end user organisations. Hard- ware sophistication, power and graphics facilities had to be matched with a realistic price: Apollo's

Domain range met these criteria. Apollo had been evaluating key

new markets, and they believed that training was about to take off.

ATTA attracted over £5m from Government and industry in order to make commercial reality of academic advances in the use of AI and other advanced technology to radically improve the speed and quality of CBT systems. The TASTE software stores knowledge about preparing and teaching lessons, and on student response and progress, thus acting like a human by giving advice and adapting to individual needs. ( A TTA Ltd., Balliol Chambers, Hollow Lane, Hitchin, Herts SG4 9SF. Tel: (0462) 420022, Fax." (0462) 420003. ACL Eurostin House, Woodley Headland, Pear- tree Bridge, Milton Keynes MK6 3EX. Telex." 825114, Fax: (0908) 665402) 17!

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