Introducing prototype interactive evolutionary systems for ill-defined, multi-objective design environments

The paper introduces experimental prototype software that represents a numb er of modules within a proposed interactive evolutionary design system (IED S). The purpose and structure of each module is briefly described and graph ical user interfaces are introduced to illustrate the manner in which the p rototypes may be utilised both as stand-alone modules and as linked co-oper ative elements. Results are presented and discussed in the light of perceiv ed practical potential and mode of utilisation. The system under developmen t specifically aims at the support of decision-making processes during the conceptual stages of multi-disciplinary design where the main characteristi cs relate to uncertainty, ill-definition and multiple objectives. Although co-evolutionary processes provide a search and exploration core, other dete rministic and adaptive processes are introduced to support the requirements of the user. These include linguistic preferences, multi-agent approaches and data extraction techniques. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.