Evolution Software

Discussion in 'Biology & Genetics' started by ahwilliams, Aug 11, 2011.

  1. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    I just finished a project I've been contemplating for quite some time. Its a simple program with little creatures that evolve over time and I've been able to evolve a few interesting creatures. Things that evade other creatures, find food, avoid walls etc, however it takes time. Not quite as much time as real world evolution but enough to make me wish there were a few more instances of the program running. I was wondering if anyone with some knowledge of actual evolutionary processes wanted to give it a try and some feedback?

    The software can be found at lexicon-labs dot com - sorry cant post links yet

    Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!



    Thanks!
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    54,036
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,184
    Did you use particle swarm optimization?
     
  6. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    Thanks spidergoat!

    I had no knowledge of particle swarm optimization prior to authoring the software, so probably not!

    A quick read (Very quick) of PSO I would say its possible the creatures are exhibiting and emergent PSO. I have had creatures that move in a direction and change direction based on the one in front of it and seem to "swarm", but this might not be exactly what the concept refers to.
     
  8. skaught The field its covered in blood Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    4,103
    Maybe I'm an idiot, but I can't figure it out at all...
     
  9. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    Its not your fault

    This is an early release and not very well documented yet.

    In a nutshell you are looking at 100 creatures that were randomly generated with a few start up mutations. The point of the software is to take creatures and apply random mutations to see what properties will emerge in given environments and adversities. Initially only a few of the random creatures survive but within a few generations you should have a few species that can at least find food or some strategy to live long enough to reproduce.

    There are things you can do to the environment to 'encourage' different creatures to evolve but it can take a bit of time and a significant percent of your processor (or one of them anyway in a multiprocessor system).
     
  10. leopold Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    17,455
    is this more of an experiment into AI instead of biological evolution?
     
  11. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    You may be right, I originally wanted to simulate the biological aspects of evolution but found the overhead is too great to make it interesting. I cut some corners to keep the process simple and yet the program only runs 500-2000 movements per minute!

    My friend who I collaborated on this project with while he concurrently did his own is far more of a purist than I and has a much prettier and more pure solution to the evolution software...

    www dot skullsprout dot com (still cant post urls)

    Mine simply tries to see what types of behaviors and structures will evolve with a given set of environment variables. What really pleases me is that after writing the software I had no idea what might evolve and am still surprised by the creatures that develop.
     
  12. leopold Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    17,455
    makes a person wonder whether a computer can actually create something doesn't it?
    i've written software like that.
    i'm still amazed at some of the designs it draws.
     
  13. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,184
    Type electric sheep on youtube.
     
  14. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,184
    You really need to look into this. Swarm intelligence is not only mind blowing and worth reading about on its own, it's also very relevant to your research. There is plenty of info online, but I can recomend you a book.
     
  15. Crunchy Cat F-in' *meow* baby!!! Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,423
    I'll take a look later and you might want to check out some of these digital life simulators (or even make yours an official submission):

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_organism_simulators#Notable_simulators

    If you're interested in a code review I would be happy to take a look; however, if this is something that is owned by a company that can't be shared then I will understand.
     
  16. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    I would love that varda, obviously I am fascinated with the subject.

    Leopold99, thats exactly what excited me to start this project. I would love to see something completely unexpected emerge.
     
  17. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    Thanks crunchycat! I would be very interested to hear your opinion of the software.
     
  18. Varda The Bug Lady Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    6,184
  19. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    Thanks, I will check that out!
     
  20. ahwilliams Registered Member

    Messages:
    11
    Thanks!

    I have gotten great feedback on the software and wanted to thank you.

    There is a new version of the software at www dot lexicon-labs dot com that uploads your best creatures to the internet and downloads other best creatures after one of your creatures reaches the 10th generation.

    I am hopeful that this will increase the genetic pool and make the simulation more interesting.
     

Share This Page