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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Neuroevolution of Actively Controlled Virtual Characters

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Master's thesis Information- and communication technology IKT590 - University of Agder 2017 Physics-based character animation offer an attractive alternative to traditional animation techniques, however, physics-based approaches often struggle to incorporate active user control of these characters. This thesis suggests a different approach to the problem of actively controlled virtual characters. The proposed solution takes a neuroevolutionary approach, using HyperNEAT to evolve neural controllers for a simulated eight-legged character, a previously untested character morphology for this algorithm. Using these controllers this thesis aims to evaluate the robustness and responsiveness of a control strategy that changes between them based on simulated user input. The results show that HyperNEAT is quite capable of evolving long walking controllers for this character, but also suggests a need for further refinement when operated in tandem.