Michael Weir

Dr Michael Weir is an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews. His research focuses on intelligent computation, artificial neural networks, and robotics, particularly exploring how parallel distributed processing can bridge the gap between human cognitive abilities and digital systems. He is a core member of the Intelligent Computation Group, which integrates biological and cognitive insights with AI techniques like Symbolic AI and Artificial Life.

Education: B.A. (The Open University), Ph.D. (Brunel University), B.Sc. (University of Bristol). He holds affiliations with the American Computing Machines Society, British Psychological Society, and Cybernetics Society.

Research Interests:

• Artificial Neural Networks
• Robot Navigation & Obstacle Avoidance
• Parallel Processing Architectures
• Heuristic Search Algorithms
• Neural Network Generalization

His publications emphasize robotics navigation using dynamic potential fields and neural network optimization. Recent work addresses nonholonomic systems and adaptive obstacle avoidance.

Grants/Projects:

• Accelerated Safe Robot-Human Interaction (EPSRC, 2014-2015)
• Nuffield Undergraduate Research Bursaries (2009, 2006, 2005)

Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the Intelligent Computation Group, focusing on interdisciplinary AI research.