SPECS's research approach combines real-world systems, such as robots, virtual reality systems and interactive installations with anatomically, physiologically and behaviorally constrained computational models.
This approach directly gives rise to novel brain based artefacts and in turn, these synthetic perceptive, emotive and cognitive systems can provide novel technologies for real-world problems including the enhancement of the quality of life. It is in this constructive approach that we retain a system’s view on mind, brain and behaviour while elucidating its underlying principles.

SPECS is based on the notion that understanding the mind and brain means that we can synthesize and repair it. In other words SPECS aims at Understanding, Building and Healing the mind/brain Our activities are organized around three complementary dimensions:

• Theory of mind and brain
• Biomimetic real-world artefacts
• Brain repair and quality of life technologies