The end is near
Space Antenna Design Evolved by Hive of Borg - Gizmodo
Eighty PCs running artificial intelligence software used “survival of the fittest” principles to evolve a tiny antenna that will be used on a space mission next month. NASA called the group of computers a “Borg computer collective.” After starting with a random antenna design, the hive of computers spent just 10 hours going through millions of possibilities for a space antenna. The group settled on a design that looked pretty much like a bent paper clip, determining that shape as the most efficient for the mission. According to NASA, the odd-shaped antenna perfectly matches the performance that NASA specified. But what if you don’t think a bent-up paperclip makes a good space antenna? Tough. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.
Artificial Intelligence designing things is well documented to be the beginning of the end. Calling them Borg doesn’t reassure me any either!
In all seriousness, this is really cool stuff. Making a bent paper clip as an antenna may seem like a small step, but it is the kind of step that will quickly begin to do really big things.
(Hat tip: Instapundit)
