Optimizing hardware

Evolvable hardware distinguishes itself from conventional hardware by its ability to adapt to its environment, and change its structure to perform better on a given task. The principle of adaptation is based on evolution, and has great potential to be used widely in the future, in many areas. This paper discusses the progression in the field of evolvable hardware. It covers the current state of the field by describing the origin of evolvable hardware and its current uses. Furthermore the paper speculates about the possibilities and promises of future technological advances in the field, and it describes technologies that would enable the field to realize the mentioned possibilities. It also indicates challenges that still lie ahead and that we must meet in order to make the promises of evolvable hardware come true.