Virtual organism: Generative tool based on multi-agent system

Abstract

A multi-agent system (MAS) is efficient as it can emulate a variety of organisms in natural science due to the interactions between agents, which make artificial systems responsive and adaptive. In "Bamboo Workshop" involved flexible structures, MAS was employed to create virtual organism in computational environment towards an innovative process in installation design. A generative tool with friendly user interface was developed for both observation and intervention besides debugging. At the same time investigations were carried on the complex behaviours of the system through graphic statistics. Integrated with the generative tool, a construction system made up of bamboo materials was set up to build a series of mobile and flexible installations. This experiment suggests that the virtual organism has the potential for being a part of the design intelligence, beyond a mere digital tool.