BoxCar2D - neat little genetic algorithm demonstration

I must have started with inferior stock ... I'm on my 37th generation and just getting over 900.I think I'm moving from specialists to generalists --- that is, the earlier models were in a way more interesting because they'd have spikes and things so that at this point in the terrain they'd bounce like that and that and then right themselves, whereas now I seem to have something which is just generally less likely to flip over and which would probably work well on a different terrain.I used the standard setup except that I changed the maximum wheel number to five.

Heh heh. It suddenly went from 900.7 to 1002.3 by a slight modification to its underside which has no apparent effect except causing it to perform an aerial somersault over the awkward spot at the 900 mark.I've said it before, I'll say it again, evolution is cool.---Interestingly, the tail is no longer performing the function for which it originally evolved, that of preventing it from sliding back into the pit around 749. I wonder if it will become vestigial.Edited by Dr Adequate, : No reason given.Edited by Dr Adequate, : No reason given.

There was a highly successful three-wheeled form for a while, but it's gone the way of the dinosaurs.

Well, when I left it it was up to 1024, and its shape was similar to what it was at 900 and at 1002 --- a very low-slung motorcycle with the hind wheel half the size of the front wheel and a mudguard/tail over the hind wheel, and the suspension of the front wheel pointing upwards, so that it did not in fact function as suspension.Now, about thirty generations later (and 1055) it's barely recognisable. The tail has gone, the rear wheel is three-quarters the size of the front wheel, the suspension of the front wheel points forwards, and nothing sticks out of the top, so that it can and does perform some of the journey upside down.And I missed all the intermediate forms, dagnammit.

It's interesting that you should have a three-wheeler --- Mr Jack was implying that they'd converge to two wheels.This is a case of contingency in evolution which would doubtless delight Stephen Jay Gould.

Far from it. My three-wheeled species started dying out around that mark, and my two-wheeled forms are now up to 1055, which is slightly better than you've managed.---Note to all: you can take a screenshot of your cars by pressing the PrtScr button towards the top right of your keyboard, trim it in MS Paint, upload it to ImageShack or a similar website, and then link it here as an image.

It's not so boring as it looks --- the indentation on the underside serves as a sort of grappling hook.This picture shows its furthest point of progress. I don't see how it can be improved, but am prepared to be surprised.

Still stuck on 1055.Time for the wrathfulness and the flood, methinks.

No, I'm at a local maximum --- like our inside-out retinas. There's no small change that would bring about an improvement.(Evolution from single-celled to colonial organisms can be seen in the laboratory, BTW.)