Session:

UGW - Undergraduate Student Workshop

Title:

JungleBoogie: A System for Studying Brain-BodyEvolution of Virtual Creatures

Authors:

Richard Giuly

Abstract:

This paper describes JungleBoogie, an extensible system that generates andoptimizes the brain and body of virtual creatures. Evolution occurs in a virtual3-D world that simulates the physics of motion. The creature bodies consist of block segments with connecting joints. In each creature, a neural networkfunctions as a brain. Network outputs drive actuators that move joints. Virtuallight sensors feed into network inputs. A user-specified evaluation function defines the fitness of an individual, and fitness determines the probability ofreproduction. JungleBoogie evaluates creature fitness based on given criteriasuch as ability to push an object or follow a light source.