Morphid Academy: a virtual laboratory for evolution of form and function

Bibliography: p. 241-253Some pages are in colou

Simplified models of Dictyostelium discoideum aggregation and slug migration

Biological models of Dictyostelium discoideum behaviours are often quite complex. Computer simulations using simplified models provide insight into the biological behaviours but rely on complex mathematics. We studied whether characteristic slime mold behaviours can occur in very simple models that can be easily implemented with any graphical simulation engine. We proposed two excitation based models: neighbour and spherical models, and one simplified cAMP propagation model - the grid model. We succeeded in producing streaming and spiral patterns in aggregation and characteristic thermotaxis in the slug migration life stage of Dictyostelium discoideum.We are currently acquiring citations for the work deposited into this collection. We recognize the distribution rights of this item may have been assigned to another entity, other than the author(s) of the work.If you can provide the citation for this work or you think you own the distribution rights to this work please contact the Institutional Repository Administrator at [email protected]

Wasp-Inspired Construction Algorithms

In this paper, we present our research into wasp-inspired construction algorithms. We were able to implement a typical construction algorithm in a 3D simulation environment and reproduce the results of previous research in the area. Finally, we present case studies that consider the impact of rule changes on the resulting evolved architectures.We are currently acquiring citations for the work deposited into this collection. We recognize the distribution rights of this item may have been assigned to another entity, other than the author(s) of the work.If you can provide the citation for this work or you think you own the distribution rights to this work please contact the Institutional Repository Administrator at [email protected]

Infusing Virtual Creatures with Vision

In this paper, we evolve light following behaviours in preevolved virtual creatures. The neural controllers of creatures evolved for movement are augmented with simple visual neurons and neural connections. The resulting neural networks are trained for light following by an evolutionary algorithm. We show that, through this process, we are able to train the neural controllers to follow a light source. Many of the evolved behaviours show stability and adaptiveness to environmental perturbations of body orientation.N