Anticipatory behavior in virtual universe, application to a virtual juggler

ABSTRACTTo be believable, virtual entities must be equipped with the ability to anticipate, that is, to predict the behavior of other entities and the subsequent consequences on the environment. For that purpose, we propose an original approach where the entity possesses an autonomous world of simulation within simulation, in which it can simulate itself (with its own model of behavior) and simulate the environment (with the representation of the behaviors of the other entities). This principle is illustrated by the development of an artificial juggler in 3D. In this application, the juggler predicts the motion of the balls in the air and uses its predictions to coordinate its own behavior to continue to juggle.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. To be believable, virtual entities must be equipped with the ability to anticipate, that is, to predict the behavior of the other entities and the subsequent consequences on the environment. This principle is illustrated by the development of an artificial juggler in 3D.