A Virtual Reality Computational Platform Dedicated for the Emergence of Global Dynamics in a Massive Swarm of Objects

Abstract

Emergence is one of the key design principles in molecular robotics which aims to construct an artifact by means of the bottom-up fabrication of biomolecules as living things. In order to promote rational design of emergence necessary for molecular robotics, we have developed a virtual reality(VR)computational platform. The computational platform incorporates VR particle simulation, VR live control and interactive VR user interface running on GPU computing. The VR particle simulation is capable to emerge global dynamics in a massive swarm of objects represented by a compound of particles interacted by Lennard-Jones potential. The VR live control enables us to tune simulation parameters while running VR particle simulation. The interactive VR user interface enables us to intervene in simulation with virtual hands. GPU computing plays an essential role in achieving more than 90 frames per second in rendering while computing particle simulations in the millions.