Simulating Self-replicating Machines

A simulation framework is described in which sliding tiles moving in a discrete two-dimensional grid can be put together to build machines. The tiles can perform logical and mechanical functions, and can be connected to each other. A self-replicating machine has been designed in this environment and its operation is summarised. Observations are made about the usefulness and the limitations of the machine and its environment, and several ways in which the limitations could be addressed are described. A justification of the simulation approach for modelling self-replicating systems is given.

[1]  Robert A. Freitas,et al.  Kinematic Self-Replicating Machines , 2004 .

[2]  John Byl,et al.  Self-Reproduction in Small Cellular Au-tomata , 1989 .

[3]  Gregory S. Chirikjian,et al.  Self-replicating robots for lunar development , 2002 .

[4]  Michael A Arbib,et al.  Theories of abstract automata (Prentice-Hall series in automatic computation) , 1969 .

[5]  Gabor T. Herman,et al.  On Universal Computer-Constructors , 1973, Inf. Process. Lett..

[6]  Saul Griffith,et al.  Robotics: Self-replication from random parts , 2005, Nature.

[7]  L. Penrose,et al.  Self-Reproducing Machines , 1959 .

[8]  K. Eric Drexler,et al.  Engines of Creation: the Coming Era of Nanotechnology , 1986 .

[9]  E. F. Codd,et al.  Cellular automata , 1968 .

[10]  R. A. Frietas,et al.  Report on the Nasa/asee 1980 Summer Study on Advanced Automation for Space Missions , 1981 .

[11]  Barry McMullin,et al.  John von Neumann and the Evolutionary Growth of Complexity: Looking Backward, Looking Forward , 2000, Artificial Life.

[12]  Moshe Sipper,et al.  Fifty Years of Research on Self-Replication: An Overview , 1998, Artificial Life.

[13]  Hod Lipson,et al.  Robotics: Self-reproducing machines , 2005, Nature.

[14]  J. Schwartz,et al.  Theory of Self-Reproducing Automata , 1967 .

[15]  J. Pollack,et al.  Functional Freeform Fabrication for Physical Artificial Life , 2004 .

[16]  Phil Husbands,et al.  Designed and Evolved Blueprints For Physical Self-Replicating Machines , 2004 .

[17]  W. Stevens.  Nodes: An environment for simulating self-replicating machines , 2004 .

[18]  Moshe Sipper,et al.  Book Review: Kinematic Self-Replicating Machines, by Robert A. Freitas Jr. and Ralph C. Merkle, Landes Bioscience, Texas, 2004 , 2005 .

[19]  Michael A. Arbib,et al.  Theories of abstract automata , 1969, Prentice-Hall series in automatic computation.

[20]  C. Langton.  Self-reproduction in cellular automata , 1984 .

[21]  Barry McMullin,et al.  John von Neumann and the Evolutionary Growth of Complexity: Looking Backwards, Looking Forwards.. , 2004 .