A 3D simulation framework based on body-controller coevolution of virtual creatures for investigating the origin of acoustic interactions

摘要

We discuss the origin of acoustic communication by investigating hypothesis that acoustical communication in terrestrial animals started as noises that are contingent with breathing or gestures associated with predation or feeding. For this purpose, we design and implement an evolutionary simulation framework using ODE (Open Dynamics Engine). In the framework, sounds are inevitably generated by behaviors of virtual creatures in a 3D physically simulated environment, which are perceived by and possibly affect the other creatures. We conducted preliminary experiments to see whether the morphology and behavior of virtual creatures that makes use of sounds can evolve or not in two simple conditions. We observed the emergence of virtual creatures that can find and approach a sound source, making sounds with a constant periodicity. We also observed the emergence of an aggregation behavior that makes use of sounds emitted by their locomotion behavior.