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Breeding Race Cars With Genetic Algorithms

smack-pot writes "Wired News has an article about how the Digital Biology Interest Group at University College, London is using genetic algorithms to breed superfast Formula-One race cars. 68 design parameters were configurable in the cars, and the generated designs were tested using the racing simulation software developed by the game developer Electronic Arts. According to the research it is possible to shave off 88/100th of a second per lap by using genetic algorithms to tune the cars. In an industry where a tiny fraction of a second matters, that's significant."

4 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. 1st Post! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    1st Post!

  2. Great by the_unknown_soldier · · Score: -1, Troll

    Another idiot in a ferrari going another mile over the speed limit.

  3. Re:Genetic algorithms explained by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Thanks ever so much .. I can finally figure out what this Linux thing is.

    I read it has something to do with grease and Yoda dolls. Can anyone explain more?

  4. Formula 1... by John+Allsup · · Score: -1, Troll

    Basically, a formula 1 race is a glorified Ferrari victory parade. BAR, Williams, Renault are there to make it look competitive and battle it out for the minor places, occasionally fluking a win; McLaren are there to see if they can actually finish; the rest are (very expensive) mobile advertising boards, first and foremost.

    Literally, the minor teams are more concerned with wheeling out their 'star' drivers at corporate events than in their drivers preparations for the race: they expect it to make so little difference to their teams standing that the business aspects take precedence.

    Ferrari shaving 88/100th of a second of their lap times won't change anything. The second tier teams need more than that to break Ferrari's dominance. The remaining teams are more bothered about parading for their sponsors.

    Formula 1 has long since become very boring.

    --
    John_Chalisque