Skill: scienceworld-object-selector

Purpose

Identify and select the correct object from visible candidates in the ScienceWorld environment based on task-defined criteria (e.g., "non-living thing", "electrical component", "container"), then signal intent with a focus on action.

When to Use

• When a task requires choosing a specific type of object from multiple visible options
• When the agent must classify objects by property (living/non-living, material type, function) to select one
• When the task instructs finding and interacting with a particular category of object

Workflow

1. Survey the environment -- Use look around to list all visible objects in the current location.
2. Evaluate candidates -- For each visible object, determine if it matches the task criteria. Exclude target containers (e.g., destination boxes) and fixed furniture from candidates.
3. Select the best match -- Choose the first suitable, portable object unless the task specifies a preference (e.g., "largest", "closest").
4. Signal intent -- Execute focus on [OBJECT] to confirm selection.
5. Execute the task action -- Proceed with the required action (e.g., pick up, move, use).

Examples

Example 1: Find a non-living thing and move it

Task: "Find a non-living thing. First, focus on the thing. Then, move it to the purple box."

> look around
You see: purple box, table, battery, black wire, blue light bulb, red light bulb, red wire, switch, violet light bulb, yellow wire, ultra low temperature freezer.

Evaluation: Purple box is the destination. Table and freezer are fixed furniture. Remaining items (battery, wires, bulbs, switch) are all non-living and portable.

> focus on black wire
You focus on the black wire.

> move black wire to purple box
You move the black wire to the purple box.

Example 2: Find an electrical component

Task: "Find an electrical component and place it on the workbench."

> look around
You see: workbench, chair, battery, glass cup, red wire, notebook.

> focus on battery
You focus on the battery.

> move battery to workbench
You move the battery to the workbench.

Key Principles

• Exclude destinations -- Never select the target container or destination as the candidate object.
• Verify if uncertain -- Use examine [OBJECT] for more detail about an object's properties before selecting.
• Task alignment -- The selection should enable the next action in the task sequence.