This demonstration shows virtual 
creatures

that were evolved to perform 
specific tasks

in simulated 
physical environments.

Swimming speed was used to 
determine survival.

Most of the creatures are results from 
independent evolutions.

Some developed strategies
similar to those in real life.

Once they are evolved,

multiple copies of these creatures 
can be made

simulated together in the
same environment.

The next group of creatures
were evolved for their ability to move

on a simulated land environment
with gravity and friction.

Some simple solutions with just two parts
were found.

Some seemed like they could use some 
assistance,

while others were fairly efficient, such 
as this rowing-like behavior.

Here is an odd cousin of the previous. 
A mutation caused him to tumble.

Some creatures evolved to incorporate
contact sensors in their control systems.

Here is another inchworm-like creature
that tends to go in circles.

This was actually a creature first 
evolved for its ability to swim in water,

then later put on land, 
it evolved further.

A successful side-winding ability 
resulted.

Here is one with a hopping style.

The protrusions on its arms seem to help
prevent it from tipping over.

This was the fastest, with a successful
galloping-like stride.

This group was evolved for their jumping
ability.

This group was evolved for their ability
to adaptively follow a red light source.

The resulting creatures are now being
interacted with.

A user is moving the light source around
as the creature behaves.

This one seems to flail randomly

but somehow still manages to 
approach the light.

Perhaps it is mean to move the 
goal away just as it arrives.

Here is one that has propeller like fins,

which are tilted depending on the
direction of the light.

It can adaptively 
swim up or down very well.

This final group of creatures was evolved

for their ability to compete for control 
of a green cube.

The creature closest to the cube at the 
end of a simulation is the winner.

Here a strategy first arose for simply
tumbling towards the cube.

Then one learned to block out his 
opponent.

But then later one learned to overcome the
obstacle by climbing over it.

Some pinned down their opponents.

Some covered the cube with 
protective arms.

Others simply unfolded onto the cube.

The success of a strategy is often highly
dependent on the opponent.

Here is a hockey-playing creature which 
takes the cube away,

and wins by a large margin.

Here are two similar hockey strategies,

battling it out, with appropriate 
gestures.

This crab-like creature walks well but 
often continues past the cube

and instead seems to prefer beating up
on his opponent.

Against the arm, the crab seems to 
simply walk away.

A successful strategy is this two-arm
technique that swipes quickly

in from the side and moves the cube 
over to a second arm.

These are the final rounds of the 
competition amongst the overall best.

Finally the seeker arm goes 
against the side-swiper,

but the cube is just out of reach.