Artificial Life Evolving Neural Networks

Artificial Life / Evolving Neural Networks

Artificial life, described in Chapter 7, is studied here in the context of neural networks through evolution of simple organisms in a synthetic environment. Organisms survive through successfully existing within their environment, avoiding prey and foraging for food. Organisms are permitted to reproduce once they reach a high enough level of internal energy. Therefore, reproduction is only permitted if organisms can survive within the environment, which should lead to more fit organisms. The organisms are provided with multilayer, neural networks as their neurocontrollers. Two different types of organisms illustrate simple food-web organizations. The artificial life application can be found on the CD-ROM at ./software/ch7 .