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Evolving Virtual Embodied Agents Using External Artifact Evaluations

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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (BNAIC/Benelearn 2020)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1398))

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Abstract

We present neatures, a computational art system exploring the potential of digitally evolving artificial organisms for generating aesthetically pleasing artifacts. Hexapedal agents act in a virtual environment, which they can sense and manipulate through painting. Their cognitive models are designed in accordance with theory of situated cognition. Two experimental setups are investigated: painting with a narrow- and wide perspective vision sensor. Populations of agents are optimized for the aesthetic quality of their work using a complexity-based fitness function that solely evaluates the artifact. We show that external evaluation of artifacts can evolve behaviors that produce fit artworks. Our results suggest that wide-perspective vision may be more suited for maximizing aesthetic fitness while narrow-perspective vision induces more behavioral complexity and artifact diversity. We recognize that both setups evolve distinct strategies with their own merits. We further discuss our findings and propose future directions for the current approach.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Neatures is open-source and available at https://github.com/lshoek/creative-evo-simulator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Lesley van Hoek, Rob Saunders & Roy de Kleijn

Authors
  1. Lesley van Hoek
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  2. Rob Saunders
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  3. Roy de Kleijn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lesley van Hoek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. LIACS, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Mitra Baratchi

  2. LIACS, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Lu Cao

  3. LIACS, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Walter A. Kosters

  4. Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Jefrey Lijffijt

  5. LIACS, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Jan N. van Rijn

  6. LIACS, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Frank W. Takes

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van Hoek, L., Saunders, R., de Kleijn, R. (2021). Evolving Virtual Embodied Agents Using External Artifact Evaluations. In: Baratchi, M., Cao, L., Kosters, W.A., Lijffijt, J., van Rijn, J.N., Takes, F.W. (eds) Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. BNAIC/Benelearn 2020. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1398. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76640-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76640-5_3

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-76639-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-76640-5

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