Evolutionary spiking neural networks as racing car controllers

The Izhikevich spiking neural network model is investigated as a method to develop controllers for a simple, but not trivial, car racing game, called TORCS. The controllers are evolved using Evolutionary Programming, and the performance of the best individuals is compared with the hand-coded controller included with the Simulated Car Racing Championship API. The results are promising, indicating that this neural network model can be applied to other games or control problems.