VDict - Definition of Artificial Life

algorithm, application (a-life) The study of synthetic

systems which behave like natural living systems in some way.

Artificial Life complements the traditional biological

sciences concerned with the analysis of living organisms by

attempting to create lifelike behaviours within computers and

other artificial media. Artificial Life can contribute to

theoretical biology by modelling forms of life other than

those which exist in nature. It has applications in

environmental and financial modelling and network

communications.

There are some interesting implementations of artificial life

using strangely shaped blocks. A video, probably by the

company Artificial Creatures who build insect-like robots in

Cambridge, MA (USA), has several mechanical implementations of

artificial life forms.