Hybrid Automata as a Modelling Approach in the Behavioural Sciences

Abstract

Hybrid modelling techniques have evolved as a tool to design, verify and guide the implementation of embedded systems. However they can—and we think should—be used to express quantitative models about hybrid systems in other domains, e.g. empirical sciences. Since the formal structure of hybrid automata corresponds well to sequentially organized behaviour chains in living organisms, we argue for an application of hybrid modelling techniques in the behavioural sciences and, especially, psychology. We try to answer the question how human drivers move onto a freeway and at the same time use this research as our testbed for using hybrid automata within behavioural sciences.