There is a simulation of 3-D agents, Framsticks,
available at
http://www.frams.poznan.pl/common/dl/FramsticksSetup.exe
(other platforms also supported)
The software lets you optimize agents (in terms
of both brain (neural network) and body) according
to some pre-defined criteria using an evolutionary
algoritm. You can investigate the behavior of neural
networks while the agent is alive. The system is
highly universal and flexible, and users can adjust
its architecture/performance with many parameters.
It is possible to design morphology or neural network,
and then optimize it. You can mix your design and
optimization, for example, build a body and neurons,
and evolve weights and connections only to meet some
behavioral goal (walking, swimming, jumping,
following, ...). One can define more complex
environments (like coevolution of many species).
The program lets you see a real-time, visually
attractive 3D graphics, and is useful for studies
of "embodied intelligence". The web site of the
project is
http://www.frams.poznan.pl
This site allows you to take part in a discussion
about Aritificial Life and Artificial Intelligence,
and contribute to the system (ie. suggest your
own genetic representation and operators, etc.)
Best regards,
Maciej Komosinski
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Maciej Komosinski [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Institute of Computing Science Fax: +48 61 8771525
Poznan University of Technology, Poland
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