Breedbot: an evolutionary robotics application in digital content

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to describe an integrated hardware/software system based onrnevolutionary robotics and its application in an edutainment context.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The system is based on a wide variety of artificial liferntechniques (artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, user-guided evolutionary design andrnevolutionary robotics). A user without any computer programming skill can determine the robot'srnbehavior in two different ways: artificial breeding or artificial evolution. Breedbot has been used as arndidactic tool in teaching evolutionary biology and as a "futuristic" toy by several science centers. Therndigital side of Breedbot can be downloaded on the web site: www.isl.unina.it/breedbotrnFindings - The results in this pilot study suggest that using Breedbot in an educational context canrnbe useful to improve learning in biology.rnResearch limitations/implications - As this is a pilot study, one limitation is the small samplernconsidered The issue will be investigated further with a wider population and subject-matter, which willrnalso improve the Breedbot system.rnPractical implications - These results suggest that tools like Breedbot could be introduced intornbiology curricula at schools.rnOriginality/value - The paper describes an original application in digital content and shows thernimportance of using such a tool in an Edutainment context. It is therefore interesting for teachers,rnvocational trainers and anyone involved in educational activities.