| Abstract |
We present a software system to conduct investigations into strongly embodied evolutionary robotics, where not only the controllers, but also the morphologies of the robots undergo evolution in real time and real space. The system is based on the recently published ‘Triangle of Life’ framework and uses the Webots package to simulate physics. The use of a simulator for strongly embodied evolutionary robotics serves two purposes. On the short term it is a proxy until the technology for self-reproducing robots becomes mature. On the long term it is an important part of the future workflow, where it offers a practicable solution for system calibration and quick exploration of the design space without the high costs of using real hardware. Our tool implements an ecosystem of autonomous robots with evolvable bodies and minds that ‘live’ in an arena simultaneously. In such a world, evolution is not (ab)used to optimise some morphological and/or mental feature in isolation, but employed as a force to adapt all aspects of the robots in a holistic manner. |