Perception in Soar Perception in Soar In Soar, perception and action are mediated by encoding and decoding productions respectively. Encoding productions take information off a perceptual buffer called the input link and place the results of the fired production into a special place in working memory. Similarly, decoding productions translate working memory elements into a form usable by motor system and place these results on the output link.
Perception occurs in parallel to the decision cycle .
Productions fire whenever input comes in on the input link. In particular, the firings of the encoding productions does not affect reaching quiescence in elaboration. This allows serial problem solving to progress in the midst of asynchronous perceptual events. A method of selective attention has been implemented in Soar in which cognitive perception of events is modulated by this mechanism. Robo-Soar demonstrates the application of Soar to robotic tasks.