Springbots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4vJP5q3jlo

What is it?

Springbot is a genetic algorithm experiment in which physical simulated 2d creatures built with nodes and springs evolve to walk, swim, jump or whatever fitness function the user decides. After several simulations it's possible for one to see animal-like behaviors optimized for the desired fitness.

Requirements

• Python >= 2.5
• python-qt4 (optional: springbots editor)
• xmlrpclib-python (optional: network distribution)
• pygame (optional: real time graphics)

Scripts

• evolve.py - Take an population described in a xml file in the stardard input and evolve them for a specific fitness function chosen in command line (see --help), writing statistics in standard output and saving the population snapshots every several iterations. Optionaly it can be run with real time graphics using pygame.

• net-evolve.py - Same like evolve.py but connect to a set of servers listed in fitness-servers.txt to do the processing.

• fitness-server.py - Start a fitness server, optionaly with real time graphics. Listens to a TCP port accepting fitness tests requests and returning the fitness itself.

• imagebot.py - Transform a xml springbot description into a svg image.

• randombot.py - Generate a random springbot population xml file writting in standard outpuy, useful for a starting seed for simulations.

• viewer.py - Real time graphics of the springbot being simulated. does not evolve, just for viewing purpouse.

• demo.py - Takes a population xml as standard input and shows each springbot for a specific amount of time on it adapted environment, optionally includes some randoms too. This program was designed for demonstration purpouses.

• log-plot.py - Plots a statistic graph from evolution experiments output based on very flexible parameters.

Examples

# Evolve a starting random population of 100 genomes with graphics and
# statistic output:
$ ./randombot.py -p 100 | ./evolve.py -f swim -vg

# To start editor move to editor directory and run editor.py:
$ ./editor.py

# Depending on your system configuration you can run the editor direct from
# file manager.