Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have utilized simulated genome functions and gene functions on rapidly evolving robots granting researchers the backing essential to understand the benefits associated with the trait of altruism.
Genetic Evolution Using Simple Robots
The study was conducted by Dario Floreano, a professor of robotics at the Switzerland’s technological university who has also authored the research paper.
According to Laurent Keller, who works at the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Lausanne, the study explains in detail the instances, during which an altruistic gene is passed or not passed to the next generation. He explained that this study reflects the Hamilton's rule.
In previously conducted tests, Professors Keller and Floreano established that foraging robots capable of performing less complex activities evolve over several generations. In this research, they made use of a foraging robot that was capable of managing more complex activities including taking the decision whether to share an article or not. The research team claimed that the results can be implemented in swarm robotics. Professor Floreano stated that the team will formulate an algorithm using this experiment to evolve teamwork in robots. He mentioned that the altruism algorithm will help to enhance the flying robots’ control system to efficiently team up and fly in a swarm formation.