What if robots could evolve? 

 

如果机器人可以自主进化的话，那么这将会是一幅怎样的场景呢？

 

It's the question asked by a group of scientists in Amsterdam, whose radical¹ new project aims to create smarter, more advanced robots through a process similar to sexual reproduction. 

 

While the idea may sound far-fetched, they've already demonstrated a proof of concept - in February, two robot parents came together to 'mate,' and the first 'robot baby' was born. 

 

In the Robot Baby Project at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, scientists have developed a way for robots to have 'sex' and pass on their DNA² to offspring. 

 

Doing this can allow them to 'develop their bodies through evolution,' making for successive generations that have more advanced physical and behavioural capabilities³. 

 

As the process continues, the researchers say robots can become more suitable for use in unknown environments that could be hazardous⁴ to humans, like deep sea mines or even other planets.

 

'We have two robots that meet and mate, and just as in the animal kingdom, this results in a baby,' says Guszti Eiben, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at VU, in a video explaining the concept. 

 

The robots live, work, and reproduce in an 'Arena,' where they are able to select a suitable mating partner. 

 

When the two robots come together, they are then able to communicate and even mate. 

 

'When they evaluate each other favourably⁵, they send their genomes through the Wi-Fi network,' says Milan Jelisavcic, a PhD student at the university. 

 

'A sexual reproduction mechanism⁶ then creates the new genome. Code of this genome is sent to the 3D printer then, for printing new components⁷.'

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