Why all the ragdolls? What the hell am i doing?

So i know that some of you will be wondering what on earth i've been doing and why models of men falling to the ground has go anything to do with with uni work.

So i will attempt to explain what is in my head... here goes:

The idea is that natural motion, specifically walking, can be generated by the position of parts of the body (well duh!)

But what i mean is, that when the body is in a certain pose messages can be sent to form the next part of the movement. I.e. when leg is straight, bend knee and flex foot.

The idea is to make a network that takes the x, y and z co-ordinates of each body part, sends this info through some paths and nodes and give an output of each of the motors, in the ankles, knees etc etc.

I've attached a representation of the network that may help you get your head around it (click to enlarge):

Now the use of this type of network need weights on each of those lines, therefore transforming the input into useful output. These weights are the interesting bit, i don't know exactly what they should be to make it move properly, also, i can't be arsed to put them all in. That's where my friend Darwin comes in.

Using evolution and natural selection these weights will be tweaked with the best ones going through to the next generation, hopefully, by the end, as if by magic the thing should walk all by itself, without even being told what walking is!!

Anyway, i hope that help explain things a little bit, any questions? add a comment