Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02029
To: beam@corp.sgi.com
From: Justin jaf60@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Date: Mon, 05 Apr 1999 14:16:38 +1200
Subject: [alt-beam] Another co-operative BEAM project idea
As I see it, most co-op project ideas founder (amoung other reasons)
because what one person wants to do is not close enough to what other
people want to do. I expect that this will be the same, but thought I'd
canvass opinion anyway.
(It also has the other hallmark of co-op projects - it's very very
_very_ far-fetched).
The idea is as I described in a recent post - build two tag-bot
platforms with a reprogrammable CPU. Build a computer simulation of the
bots, their playing field, and their program. (Note - this means that
building the bots, their environement, their sensors, their motors, etc,
is going to be very difficult if the simulation is going to be even
remotely applicable).
Use the computer simulation to evolve a very good tag program to run on
the bots. With a lot of luck, a good program in the simulation could
translate reasonably well to the bots.
Build an identical, but radio controlled third bot.
Run all sorts of experiements, breeding programs, human vs evolved
machine competitions, etc etc.
In addition, the software alone would be fun (it should also allow a
third user-controlled bot) and might even make the odd dollar as
shareware.
I suspect that this project is not very feasible as a co-op thing, but
nevermind.
I would be prepared to build the bots and environment, but I think there
would be people a lot better than me for building the simulation.
Unfortunately, I've never used microproccessers before, so I'm not all
that suited to the first task either...
I might consider paying someone to do a simple uC board to do the job
that I can then use, but right now would be a bad time as I'm applying
for a job that may require relocation, so the future is uncertain.
So consider this a test of the water. If you have ideas as to a better
way to approach the task, please say so :)
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