DISCOVERING THE COMPETITORS

This article reports on an experiment that tests whether a particular representation of robotic control processes is adequate for capturing significant variations in robot behavior. These variations can then be explored by a selectionist mechanism that generates and tests variati ons, An ecosystem modeled after a physical robotic ecosystem is introd uced The ecosystem contains a robot that occasionally has to recharge, as well as competitors that take away energy from the total system. T he robot has to discover that its viability requires combating the com petitors.