Qualitative Kinematics: A framework

Qualitative spatial reasoning has seen little progress. This paper attempts to explain why. We provide a framework for qualitative kinematics (QK), qualitative spatial reasoning about motion. We propose that no general-purpose, purely qualitative kinematics exists. We propose instead the MD/PV model of spatial reasoning, which combines the power of diagrams with qualitative representations. Next we propose connectivity as the organizing principle for kinematic state, and describe a set of basic inferences which every QK system must make. The framework's utility is illustrated by considering two programs, one finished and one in progress. We end by discussing the research questions this framework raises.