Aesthetically Evolved Virtual Pets Tom Ray Zoology, University of Oklahoma ATR Human Information Processing Research Laboratories, Kyoto
The Concept Aesthetic, emotional, and empathetic selection are applied to a derivative of Karl Sims' Evolved Virtual Creatures.Karl Sims'Evolved Virtual Creatures The resulting Creatures can be beautiful or strange, and provoke strong reactions in human observers. It may be possible to evolve virtual pets to which humans can form strong emotional bonds.
Directed Graph Bodies
Neural Circuitry Sensors Processors Effectors Randomly Connected
19 Sensors Time Joint Yaw Joint Pitch Joint Roll X Position Y Position Z Position X Velocity Y Velocity Z Velocity Red Color Value Green Color Value Blue Color Value X Angular Velocity Y Angular Velocity Z Angular Velocity X Force Y Force Z Force
83 Processors 22 Leaves The 19 sensors Random Constant Oscillator 34 Unary Operations The 7 color effectors Sine Cosine Exponent Absolute value etc. 27 Binary Operations Add Subtract Multiply Divide Modulus And Not Or Greater Equal etc.
Effectors 3 Joint Actuators Yaw Pitch Roll 7 Color Effectors Red Green Blue Red & Green Green & Blue Blue & Red Red & Green & Blue
Ray’s Creatures
Coming Enhancements Genome editor Hybrid GA / aesthetic selection Co-evolutionary scenarios
Sims’ Automated Evolution Karl Sims used a GA to automate evolution With selection for: Swimming speed Crawling/walking speed Jumping height Ability to follow
Sims’ Co-evolution Karl Sims used GA selection for possession of a block to create a co-evolutionary scenario
Ray’s Co-evolution Rather than using GA selection for competition I will evolve my creatures to love By selecting for: Moving towards one another Maximum surface contact Continued relative movement while in contact
More Information Ray, T. S Aesthetically Evolved Virtual Pets. In: “Artificial Life 7 Workshop Proceedings,” Carlo C. Maley and Eilis Boudreau [eds.]. Proceedings of the Seventh Artificial Life Conference. Pp Aesthetically Evolved Virtual Pets
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