Interactive Sonification Monitoring in Evolutionary Optimization

Abstract

This case study introduces interactive sonification to evolu- tionary strategies (ES) for global optimization. We briefly describe the specific strengths of sonification as a tool for monitoring, the emerging trend of interactive sonification, and what it can add to the field of evolutionary computa- tion. Then we line out the background of ES as optimiza- tion heuristics, briefly explain the algorithmic procedure of ES and discuss the need to intervene during optimization runs and the current shortcomings in appropriate user feed- back. This motivates the development of an auditory closed loop setup that brings the expertise of interactive sonifica- tion to the field of monitoring ES algorithms. Further, we present considerations for the sound design and the detailed mapping of parameters from the ES to sound properties. Fi- nally, we discuss the various implemented modes of interac- tion and their significance for the optimization through ES.