Behavior emergence of a virtual creature living in complex environments

Abstract

This study aimed at establishing a new computer-aided animation method using agent-based and physics modeling-based animation. The specific problem we addressed was to install adaptive behavior in a virtual creature placed in a complex environment, and to create its animated behavior automatically. The virtual creature is regarded as an autonomous agent who has sensors, actuators, and controllers. An artificial neural netword (ANN) and a central pattern generator (CPG) were adopted as the controllers. An optimization algorithm was introduced to train the controllers. Numerical experiments proved that the virtual creature acquires effective motions (walking, swimming) to move toward its destination, and to avoid obstacles and other creatures.