The Evolution of Structural Design Through Artificial Embryogeny

We present a model of artificial embryogeny, Deval, with discussion of design rationale. The motivation for an externally-evaluated test-bed for models in artificial embryogeny is discussed. We review a simple model of structural design, the plane truss. The Deval model is applied to the evolution of designs for trusses, showing that a variety of trusses satisfying distinct fitness-imposed criteria may be evolved; We evolve trusses capable of supporting external forces efficiently while either minimizing material usage or minimizing base size. Finally, we introduce a model-level perturbation, the inclusion of a seed rule, a metaphor for the initial cleavage found in real-world embryogeny. Through an empirical evaluation, we determine that the use of a seed rule is found to improve the overall quality of evolved designs, and to lessen the fitness variance between the runs.