What is this?
Physarum polycephalum is a slime mold that builds near-optimal transport networks. These agents follow virtual "chemoattractant" trails, self-organizing into veins.
Real Science
In 2010, researchers showed real slime mold replicated the Tokyo rail network layout — nearly optimal with no central coordination.
How it works
Each agent has 3 sensors (forward, left, right) and steers toward the strongest trail. Trails diffuse and decay, forming emergent network patterns.
Add Food
Click "Add Food" then click the canvas to drop food sources. Agents discover and connect them, building organic transport networks between nodes.