How to Evolve Autonomous Robots: Different Approaches in Evolutionary Robotics

Abstract

A methodology for evolving the control systems of autonomous robots has not yet been well established. In this paper we will show different examples of applications of evolutionary robotics to real robots by describing three different approaches to develop neural controllers for mobile robots. In all the experiments described real robots are involved and are indeed the ultimate means of evaluating the success and the results of the procedures employed. Each approach will be compared with the others and the relative advantages and drawbacks will be discussed. Last, but not least, we will try to tackle a few important issues related to the design of the hardware and of the evolutionary conditions in which the control system of the autonomous agent should evolve.