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From evolutionary computation to the evolution of things

Nature volume 521, pages 476–482 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Evolution has provided a source of inspiration for algorithm designers since the birth of computers. The resulting field, evolutionary computation, has been successful in solving engineering tasks ranging in outlook from the molecular to the astronomical. Today, the field is entering a new phase as evolutionary algorithms that take place in hardware are developed, opening up new avenues towards autonomous machines that can adapt to their environment. We discuss how evolutionary computation compares with natural evolution and what its benefits are relative to other computing approaches, and we introduce the emerging area of artificial evolution in physical systems.

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Figure 1: The principal diagram of evolutionary algorithms.
Figure 2: Two major transitions in the history of artificial evolution.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the editors and reviewers, as well as A. Adamatzky, L. Bull, B. Filipic and M. Schoenauer for providing helpful insights on earlier versions of this manuscript.

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  1. VU University Amsterdam, de Boelelaan 1081a, Amsterdam, 1081HV, the Netherlands

    Agoston E. Eiben

  2. University of the West of England, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK

    Jim Smith

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Correspondence to Agoston E. Eiben.

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Eiben, A., Smith, J. From evolutionary computation to the evolution of things. Nature 521, 476–482 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14544

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