Tangible Interfaces for Interactive Evolutionary Computation

Interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) is a powerful human-machine optimisation procedure for evolving solutions to complex design problems. In this paper we introduce the novel concept of Tangible Interactive Evolutionary Computation (TIEC), leveraging the benefits of tangible user interfaces to enhance the IEC process and experience to alleviate user fatigue. An example TIEC system is presented and used to evolve biomorph images, with a recreation of the canonical IEC application: The Blind Watchmaker program. An expanded version of the system is also used to design visual states for an atomic visualisation platform called danceroom Spectroscopy, that allows participants to explore quantum phenomena through movement and dance. Initial findings from an informal observational test are presented along with the results from a pilot study to evaluate the potential for TIEC.