通过类似有性生殖创造更先进的机器人
What if robots could evolve?
如果机器人可以自主进化的话，那么这将会是一幅怎样的场景呢？
It's the question asked by a group of scientists in Amsterdam, whose radical new project aims to create smarter, more advanced robots through a process similar to sexual reproduction.
While the idea may sound far-fetched, they've already demonstrated a proof of concept - in February, two robot parents came together to 'mate,' and the first 'robot baby' was born.
In the Robot Baby Project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists have developed a way for robots to have 'sex' and pass on their DNA to offspring.
Doing this can allow them to 'develop their bodies through evolution,' making for successive generations that have more advanced physical and behavioural capabilities.
As the process continues, the researchers say robots can become more suitable for use in unknown environments that could be hazardous to humans, like deep sea mines or even other planets.
'We have two robots that meet and mate, and just as in the animal kingdom, this results in a baby,' says Guszti Eiben, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at VU, in a video explaining the concept.
The robots live, work, and reproduce in an 'Arena,' where they are able to select a suitable mating partner.
When the two robots come together, they are then able to communicate and even mate.
'When they evaluate each other favourably, they send their genomes through the Wi-Fi network,' says Milan Jelisavcic, a PhD student at the university.
'A sexual reproduction mechanism then creates the new genome. Code of this genome is sent to the 3D printer then, for printing new components.'