BugWorks - 2D Robot Simulator and Tutor

What it is

BugWorks lets you experiment with 2D robots using a simple, drag-and-drop interface. The built-in tutor provides a complete introduction to the system, with fully interactive exercises. (Press the Tutor button to access this feature.)

Send any comments to `feedback' at domain `bugworks.org'.

How to get it

  • Free Applet This free version should run directly in any Java-enabled browser.

  • Application This downloadable application does everything the applet does but lets you save and load files, and record movies as well.
If the system doesn't run, you may need to install an up-to-date version of Java. Installation options.

BugWorks for interactive art

Artistic applications of the system are covered in this tutorial. This also covers all the system basics.

There are some sample images and exercises here.

Movies

  • Movies This is a sequence of runnable movies showing simulations in action.

Reading

For background reading, I would recommend Valentino Braitenberg's Vehicles: Experiments in Synthetic Psychology (published by MIT Press) which forms the focus for several of the missions.

Tips

  • Under Windows XP, it helps a lot to turn off the mouse shadow (in the mouse control panel) to stop the pointer flickering during simulations.

Background

BugWorks was originally developed to enable students with no programming skills to experiment with 2d robots. More recently it has acquired an `eTutoring' dimension in the form of the built-in Mission Tutor. This sits on top of the main system suggesting missions to the user and giving feedback on any progress made. Credit is calculated internally and a log can be emailed to a named tutor at the student's instigation.

Part of the mission package follows the material in Valentino Braitenberg's `Vehicles' book. Braitenberg's book presents a series of thought experiments involving wheeled robots: part of the mission sequence mirrors the earlier and more realistic experiments. The user is encouraged to carry out Braitenberg's experiments hands-on, building the described robots and manipulating the behaviours produced. In the latter part of the tutorial sequence, the user encounters some more esoteric robotics topics. This is where the built-in programming language (`BugScript') is introduced.

BugWorks also provides material catering to those with creative or artistic interests. See the BugArt website at www.bugworks.org/bugart for further details.

BugWorks can be run as an applet or application. The program seems to run fastest when running as an applet under Microsoft Internet Explorer and of course will not run in any system which has Java applets disabled. The system is quite demanding on resources so you will need to be running on a powerful system to get acceptable performance.

Keywords and phrases

2D, robot, simulation, simulator, Braitenberg, game, vehicle, autonomous, mobot, java, applet, robot construction, 2D robot, 2D simulation, Braitenberg vehicle, Braitenberg simulation, Braitenberg game, autonomous vehicle simulation, java game, java applet, simulation game.