Darwinism + geneticism + two-wheeled vehicles = ... awesomeness.

[Eóin]

Saw this link on Reddit, apparently it's the latest version http://www.boxcar2d.com/.

[timns]

On that new version I keep getting cars with no wheels at all! 

[Stoic Joker]

I've been watching for a while now and it appears to me as though the number in parentheses is twice the previous generation's highest score.

-Deozaan (January 28, 2011, 04:05 PM)

I'm with you on the "goal" theory. It seems that the expectations for the current generation are based on the achievements (/aspirations) of the previous generation.

It's also interesting to watch how the mutations follow a pattern as they try to "learn" their surroundings.

A backward flip over (early gens) results in either wheels on top or a forward weight bias.

Forward flips result in more centered weight distribution.

High centering gets a shorter wheel base.

etc, etc.

[worstje]

I like the new version. I'm running it non-stop with the 8-wheels-max setting - it is hilarious.

I am annoyed through that only some of the wheels seem to be 'powered'. Some touch the ground at times but don't propel it at all, making me slide back down on ramps after a few amusing flips.

[Stoic Joker]

I like the new version. I'm running it non-stop with the 8-wheels-max setting - it is hilarious.

-worstje (January 28, 2011, 07:09 PM)

Oh yeah, that's insane! 

[timns]

I like the new version. I'm running it non-stop with the 8-wheels-max setting - it is hilarious.

I am annoyed through that only some of the wheels seem to be 'powered'. Some touch the ground at times but don't propel it at all, making me slide back down on ramps after a few amusing flips.

-worstje (January 28, 2011, 07:09 PM)

Every time that happens, in my mind I hear the muted trumpet of disappointment: wah-wah-waaaahhh

[Deozaan]

This seems to make a great case for Intelligent Design. I'm sure after a few minutes of manually tweaking I could get my motorcycle to fare a lot better than it's doing after hours of evolutionary genetic mutations.

[Eóin]

True, but could you design a better motorcycle than one resulting from 1 million+ years of evolving

[Deozaan]

True, but could you design a better motorcycle than one resulting from 1 million+ years of evolving

-Eóin (January 28, 2011, 11:27 PM)

Show me a motorcycle that's been evolving for 1+ million years and I'll let you know.

[Eóin]

I am annoyed through that only some of the wheels seem to be 'powered'. Some touch the ground at times but don't propel it at all, making me slide back down on ramps after a few amusing flips.

-worstje (January 28, 2011, 07:09 PM)

To me it does seem all the wheels are powered, but inertia, friction, gravity, etc mean some times a wheel doesn't seem to cut for a slope. Personally I'd like to see them being given more time to recover after sliding back down a hill. I've seen a few look like they were about to start motoring up the hill but a killed off because the inertia from the previous slide down it still lingered just a bit.

I imagine though the author was careful to avoid any loops where a car never actually progressed, but also never got killed off.

[AndyM]

I think the angle of the shock absorbers makes a difference.

[Deozaan]

NECRO THREAD, ARISE FROM YOUR GRAVE!

I recently came across this, from the same guy who did the first one.

Genetic Algorithm Walkers

How is the score calculated?
In order to promote upright walking, each creature receives points based on how high the head is in relation to its feet, and how much it advances while upright. Bonus points are given for each proper step forward.

I don't find it nearly as fun to watch as the genetic cars, but it's still pretty spiffy.

As an aside, after playing around with the Genetic Cars again, I was unsatisfied with how some things worked. I saw that the source was available, so I've been referring to it to make something similar in Unity. Here are some screenshots of my progress (click to embiggen):

Here's one of my earliest screenshots after getting the basic (though still somewhat incomplete) car generation working:

Darwinism + geneticism + two-wheeled vehicles = ... awesomeness.

Here's one that wins the award for BEST PROCEDURALLY CREATED CAR EVAR!!!!111:

Darwinism + geneticism + two-wheeled vehicles = ... awesomeness.

And here's a rather sporty little car that was doing great compared to its peers, but my timing on the screenshot was poor. It's doing a little nosedive after coming down off a hill:

Darwinism + geneticism + two-wheeled vehicles = ... awesomeness.

[mouser]

As an aside, after playing around with the Genetic Cars again, I was unsatisfied with how some things worked. I saw that the source was available, so I've been referring to it to make something similar in Unity.

Fantastic!  There are few things as enjoyable as writing code that surprises you, and these kinds of experiments can be so enjoyable.

[cranioscopical]

There are few things as enjoyable as writing code that surprises you

-mouser (February 11, 2015, 04:50 AM)

When Last did you do so?