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Pervasive flexibility in living technologies through degeneracy-based design.

James Whitacre¹, Axel Bender

¹Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Artificial Life

|July 10, 2013

Summary

Degeneracy, having multiple components with overlapping functions, enhances system adaptation. This principle, inspired by biology, offers flexibility and robustness for technologies facing unpredictable challenges.

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Area of Science:

Engineering and Systems Science
Biomimicry
Artificial Intelligence

Background:

Technological systems require adaptation to unexpected conditions, a challenge not fully addressed during design.
Biological systems exhibit remarkable adaptability, offering insights for technological innovation.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and explore degeneracy as a key principle for enhancing technological adaptation.
To identify design principles that foster degeneracy in both biological and artificial systems.

Main Methods:

Drawing inspiration from biological systems to conceptualize degeneracy.
Analyzing existing technologies (e.g., sociotechnical systems, swarm robotics) for examples of degeneracy.
Formulating design principles for implementing degeneracy.

Main Results:

Degeneracy, defined as multiple, functionally versatile components with overlapping redundancy, supports adaptation.
Degeneracy provides pervasive flexibility, evolutionary innovation, and homeostatic robustness in systems.
Examples of degeneracy are found in diverse systems, from military to robotics.

Conclusions:

Degeneracy is a powerful principle for designing adaptive technologies.
Design principles such as shared protocols, loose coupling, and functional versatility facilitate degeneracy.
Implementing degeneracy can improve system resilience and performance in novel environments.