rustyWings

Neural Network Bird Simulation

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Simulation of Evolution

Powered by Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms, rustyWings simulates a world where triangular birds navigate their environment in search of food represented by circles.

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About

• Each bird has:
  • An eye with a limited field of vision visualized as a circle around the bird.
  • A neural network brain that determines its movement direction and speed.
• The simulation starts with randomly initialized brains for each bird.
• After 2500 turns (approximately 40 seconds), birds with the most food are selected for reproduction. Their offspring forms the next generation.
• Over generations, the birds, through a genetic algorithm, become adept at finding food - it's like they're learning on their own!
• Note: This is not the boids algorithm. Bird behavior is not pre-programmed, it's learned over time.

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Interaction

Influence the simulation by entering commands in the input box:

• train (t): Fast-forwards the simulation to observe rapid learning.
• Explore the source code: https://github.com/mahim37/rustyWings

Enjoy the simulation!

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Commands

• p / pause: Pauses or resumes the simulation.
• r / reset [parameter=value ...]: Restarts the simulation with optional parameters:
  • a / animals: Number of birds (default: ${config.world_animals})
  • f / foods: Number of food items (default: ${config.world_foods})
  • n / neurons: Number of brain neurons per bird (default: ${config.brain_neurons})
  • p / photoreceptors: Number of eye cells per bird (default: ${config.eye_cells})
  • Examples:
    • reset animals=100 foods=100
    • r a=100 f=100
    • r p=3
• (t)rain [generations]: Fast-forwards one or more generations.
  • Examples:
    • train
    • t 5

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Advanced Tips

• Modify any parameter within the reset command.
  • Examples:
    • r i:integer_param=123 f:float_param=123
    • r a=200 f=200 f:food_size=0.002
  • Parameter names can be found in the source code.

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Interesting Scenarios

• r i:ga_reverse=1 f:sim_speed_min=0.003: Birds avoid food (try to escape?)
• r i:brain_neurons=1: Single-neuron "zombie" birds
• r f:food_size=0.05: Larger food items
• r f:eye_fov_angle=0.45: Birds with a narrow field of view

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Note:

• ${config.world_animals}, ${config.world_foods}, ${config.brain_neurons}, and ${config.eye_cells} represent default values defined in the code.