Evolving Virtual Creatures

We propose to implement a two-dimensional version of the work described in Karl Sims’s 1994 SIGGRAPH Proceedings paper “Evolving Virtual Creatures.” [SIMSa] We will investigate goaldirected genetic algorithms and the dynamics of complex rigid bodies. Our application will generate animations of virtual creatures exhibiting evolved behaviors. The user will specify the characteristics of the environment in which two-dimensional creatures will evolve. An initial random set of creatures will be created and simulated, and those that are successful at specified behaviors will be selected for breeding. Goal behaviors will include jumping, walking, and swimming. Once the program has bred several generations of creatures, survivors may be saved for future examination.