BugArt - Experimental Robot Art

What is BugArt?

A favourite occupation for roboticists is to build simulated 2-dimensional worlds. Populated with simulated organisms, these can be visually entertaining when displayed on a computer screen. As the organisms race around interacting with each other, interesting patterns are produced. If the simulation is configured so each organism leaves a trail of colour behind it, the effect is that of animated paintbrushes. By continuously modifying the behaviour of the organisms, it is usually possible to produce an interesting visual result. If things work out well, the result if BugArt. If not, it's BugRubbish.

The images below illustrate the kind of thing that can be achieved using the BugWorks simulator. If you click on an image, you'll see instruction for running the generative simulation as a movie. You'll need to download and run the BugWorks system first to play this.

Long Tutorial

Artistic applications of the system are covered in this books-sized tutorial. This also covers all the system basics.

BugArt Images

Below are some sample images. Clicking on any one of the images will producing instructions for running the generative simulation as a movie.

BUGART EXPERIMENTS

To get a feel for the way these images are produced, try playing with the bugworks system. To get this, google `bugworks robots' and choose the `BugWorks - 2D Robot Simulator and Tutor' link. From there you can download and run the system.

Kit-bug car wash exercise

Add three kit-bugs to the arena. Press `Select all', open the modify window and tick all the checkboxes down the left hand side. Press Run to start the simulation, then Show trails to arrange for trails to be drawn. Then, periodically, press the Randomise button in the Modify window.

Splayed pyramids

Add a `debris' object to the arena. Open the Properties dialog and change the value of shape to triangle and the value of shellColor to blue. Then apply the Resize tool on the bottom, right corner of the object. Assuming the system is still showing trails, you should be able to create some interesting pyramid patterns.

Starry shades

Add a com-bug to the arena. Use the Open button to open its window then click on the `9' button followed by the `3' button. Use the Properties dialog to reset the shape to `star'. Close the bug's window and press Run.

The bug should now start moving in a cirle. Provided it is still selected you can vary the trail of colors dynamically by moving around the color sliders in the bottom, right corner.

For variations on the theme try using the Resize tool to change the bug's size.