Automated Synthesis by Means of Genetic Programming of Complex Structures Incorporating Reuse, Parameterized Reuse, Hierarchies, and Development

Abstract

Genetic programming can be used as an automatedinvention machine to synthesise designs for complexstructures. In particular, genetic programming hasautomatically synthesized complex structures thatinfringe, improve upon, or duplicate the functionalityof 21 previously patented inventions (including analogelectrical circuits, controllers, and mathematicalalgorithms). Genetic programming has also generated twopatentable new inventions (involving controllers).Genetic programming has also generated numerousadditional human-competitive results involving thedesign of quantum computing circuits as well as othersubstantial results involving antennae, networks ofchemical reactions (metabolic pathways), and geneticnetworks. We believe that these results are the directconsequence of a group of techniques, many unique togenetic programming, that facilitate the automaticsynthesis of complex structures. These techniquesinclude automatic reuse, parameterised reuse,parameterised topologies, and developmental geneticprogramming. The paper describes these techniques andhow they contribute to automated design.