JohnnyVon

JohnnyVon is an impressive free and open source implementation of a self-replicating automata that operates in a continuous two-dimensional space. In this software, users will experience two types of particles that drift about in a virtual liquid. The particles are automata with discrete internal states but continuous external relationships. The software's internal states are governed by finite state machines, while their external relationships are governed by simulated physics that includes Brownian motion, viscosity, and spring-like attractive and repulsive forces.

In JohnnyVon, these particles can be assembled into patterns that can encode arbitrary strings of bits. Additionally, if an arbitrary "seed" pattern is put in a "soup" separate individual particles, the pattern will replicate by assembling the individual particles into copies of itself. It is fascinating to note that the software also shows that, given sufficient time, a soup of separate individual particles will eventually spontaneously form self-replicating patterns.

With its ability to replicate and its advanced features, JohnnyVon has implications for research in nanotechnology, theoretical biology, and artificial life. Its exploration benefits are enormous, and researchers from different fields will find the software valuable in numerous areas. Overall, JohnnyVon is an excellent software tool for anyone interested in exploring self-replicating automata and the vast possibilities of this technology.