(Evolved Virtual Creatures)

Content: This video shows results from a research project involving simulated Darwinian evolutions of virtual block creatures. A population of several hundred creatures is created within a supercomputer, and each creature is tested for their ability to perform a given task, such the ability to swim in a simulated water environment. Those that are most successful survive, and their virtual genes containing coded instructions for their growth, are copied, combined, and mutated to make offspring for a new population. The new creatures are again tested, and some may be improvements on their parents. As this cycle of variation and selection continues, creatures with more and more successful behaviors can emerge.

Countries:

United States of America

Genres:

Animation,

Documentary

Runtime:

4 minutes

Year:

1994

Directors:

Karl Sims

Actors:

Narrator

Crews:

Director