Evolving creatures in virtual ecosystems

Abstract

In this article, we introduce the first steps of our 3D ecosystem project. We present the latest research on morphology, behavior and virtual environments of evolving creatures and we try to investigate future possibilities for improving more complex lifeforms in dynamic environment. We propose our model of an ecosystem which uses a new type of controller for evolving creatures based on classifiers. Our model comprises three different lifeforms: insects, plants and creatures based on a genetic coding and evolving by evolutionary methods. In the future, we intend to add more different lifeforms and more interactions. To focus on this aspect, we have chosen Breve an existing physic engine centered on artificial life simulation. In this article, we show the results of evolving creatures being able to crawl, to walk and to climb stairs. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg.