Center for Analysis and Design of Intelligent Agents

A Braitenberg Vehicle Simulator:
This Java Applet is a Breitenberg Vehicle simulator that lets you play around with different settings, vehicles and sources. Start by loading the applet, a single light source and a vehicle are loaded by default. Now play with different settings adjusting sensor weights or engine speed values (in the right-left corner of your screen).
You can StartStop or Reset the simulation using the buttons below the vehicle image; - Vehicle 2a: “Fear”.
This vehicle has two sensors connected in ipsilateral (same side) way. The connections are excitatory, which means the more light hits the sensor the more faster the associated engine starts. This drives the vehicle faster when it is closer to a source but, for example, when the source is on the right side of the it, the right sensor receives slightly more power than the left one. This causes the right engine running faster than the left one and the vehicle turning away from the source. So, Vehicle 2a becomes restless in vicinity of sources and tends to avoid them, escaping until it safely reaches a place where the influence of the source is scarcely felt. Because it seems as if this vehicle is afraid Braitenberg calls it “Fear”.
Set up sensor weights and engine speed values in the applet and then start the simulation in order to bring Vehicle 2a to life; - Vehicle 2b: “Aggression”.
This vehicle is similar to the previous one, except that the sensors are connected in contralateral (crossed) way (but still of excitatory type). This changes the behavior of the vehicle: it will turn toward a source and eventually hit it. Vehicle 2b is excited by the presence of sources, but resolutely turns toward them and hits them with high velocity, as if wanted to destroy them. Vehicle 2b is “Aggressive”, obviously.
Set up this vehicle in the simulator. - Vehicle 3a: “Love”.
todo; - Vehicle 3b: “Explorer”.
todo; - Extra: set up your own Vehicle**.
todo.