Paul:

Interesting stuff! I have been following related developments as they appear in the pages of my Science News. A recent issue covered the Second Artificial Life Conference in Sante Fe. Most of the current work in artificial life involves computer models such as ArtAnt, "in which colonies of ant-like organisms live, compete and evolve over hundreds of generations within a common environment." This simulation is run on a Connection Machine. But hardware (and wetware) people are also at work. Here is another snippet from the article:

"Real artificial life" is how Rodney Brooks describes the robots he and Pattie Maes have developed at MIT. Brooks sees these creations as "robot beings that live in the world, have agendas and ongoing projects." One human-sized robot, called the Collection Machine, goes around the labs locating, picking up and disposing of 12-ounce beverage cans. Another, called The Confection Machine, tries to sell candy to people and uses the money to get nearby creatures - i.e., humans - to do things for it that it cannot do on its own, such as opening doors."

Neat-O!