@misc{cogprints2888,
          volume = {9},
          number = {1},
          author = {Arnold Smith and Peter Turney and Robert Ewaschuk},
           title = {Self-Replicating Machines in Continuous Space with Virtual Physics},
       publisher = {MIT Press},
         journal = {Artificial Life},
           pages = {21--40},
            year = {2003},
             url = {http://cogprints.org/2888/},
        abstract = {JohnnyVon is an implementation of self-replicating machines in 
continuous two-dimensional space. Two types of particles drift 
about in a virtual liquid. The particles are automata with 
discrete internal states but continuous external relationships. 
Their internal states are governed by finite state machines but 
their external relationships are governed by a simulated physics 
that includes Brownian motion, viscosity, and spring-like attractive 
and repulsive forces. The particles can be assembled into patterns 
that can encode arbitrary strings of bits. We demonstrate that, if 
an arbitrary "seed" pattern is put in a "soup" of separate individual 
particles, the pattern will replicate by assembling the individual 
particles into copies of itself. We also show that, given sufficient 
time, a soup of separate individual particles will eventually 
spontaneously form self-replicating patterns. We discuss the implications 
of JohnnyVon for research in nanotechnology, theoretical biology, and 
artificial life.}
}

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