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A '''crawler''' or '''climber''' is a [[reaction]] in which two objects (or groups of objects) [[Collision|collide]], leaving one of the objects moved backwards or forwards to a degree, and the other forward. Crawler reactions are commonly used to create [[engineered spaceship]]s, also known as caterpillars. | A '''crawler''' or '''climber''' is a [[reaction]] in which two objects (or groups of objects) [[Collision|collide]], leaving one of the objects moved backwards or forwards to a degree, and the other forward. Crawler reactions are commonly used to create [[engineered spaceship]]s, also known as caterpillars. | ||
==List of crawlers== | == List of crawlers == | ||
===17c/45 pi heptomino crawler=== | === 17c/45 pi heptomino crawler === | ||
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|pname = 17c45reaction | |pname = 17c45reaction | ||
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Perhaps the first and most well known climber is the infamous [[17c/45 reaction]], consisting of a [[pi heptomino]] running over a [[blinker]], moving it back 6 cells and rephasing it, whilst the pi heptomino moves forward 17 cells. This takes place in 45 generations. | Perhaps the first and most well known climber is the infamous [[17c/45 reaction]], consisting of a [[pi heptomino]] running over a [[blinker]], moving it back 6 cells and rephasing it, whilst the pi heptomino moves forward 17 cells. This takes place in 45 generations. | ||
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Research has been conducted into building much smaller 17c/45 spaceships with pi crawlers, analogously to the silverfish. Discussion has been ongoing since as early as 2013.<ref name="post10028" /> | Research has been conducted into building much smaller 17c/45 spaceships with pi crawlers, analogously to the silverfish. Discussion has been ongoing since as early as 2013.<ref name="post10028" /> | ||
===31c/240 Herschel crawler=== | === 31c/240 Herschel crawler === | ||
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|pname = 31c240reaction | |pname = 31c240reaction | ||
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Another orthogonal crawler, the [[31c/240 reaction]], consisting of a Herschel crawling though blocks. | Another orthogonal crawler, the [[31c/240 reaction]], consisting of a Herschel crawling though blocks. | ||
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Several spaceships are known that use this 31c/240 crawler, in order of discovery being the [[shield bug]], [[centipede]], [[silverfish]], [[Leaf bug]], and [[Water strider]], the latter being the smallest self-supporting spaceship in life. | Several spaceships are known that use this 31c/240 crawler, in order of discovery being the [[shield bug]], [[centipede]], [[silverfish]], [[Leaf bug]], and [[Water strider]], the latter being the smallest self-supporting spaceship in life. | ||
===(23,5)c/79 Herschel climber=== | === (23,5)c/79 Herschel climber === | ||
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|pname = 235c79climber | |pname = 235c79climber | ||
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The [[(23,5)c/79 Herschel climber]] involves a [[Herschel]] reacting with a stream of gliders, emitting more gliders behind it in the same way, displacing the Herschel by 23 cells vertically and 5 horizontally in the space of 79 generations. It can also crawl on certain still lifes as well as gliders. | The [[(23,5)c/79 Herschel climber]] involves a [[Herschel]] reacting with a stream of gliders, emitting more gliders behind it in the same way, displacing the Herschel by 23 cells vertically and 5 horizontally in the space of 79 generations. It can also crawl on certain still lifes as well as gliders. | ||
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This climber has been engineered and other components assembled by hand to create [[waterbear]], which was the fastest known oblique spaceship until the discovery of [[Sir Robin]] in 2018. | This climber has been engineered and other components assembled by hand to create [[waterbear]], which was the fastest known oblique spaceship until the discovery of [[Sir Robin]] in 2018. | ||
===(34,7)c/156 Herschel climber=== | === (34,7)c/156 Herschel climber === | ||
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|pname = 347c156climber | |pname = 347c156climber | ||
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The [[(34,7)c/156 Herschel climber]] is another notable oblique climber. An [[Unnamed (34,7)c/156 spaceship|unnamed (34,7)c/156 caterpillar]] has been built using this climber. | The [[(34,7)c/156 Herschel climber]] is another notable oblique climber. An [[Unnamed (34,7)c/156 spaceship|unnamed (34,7)c/156 caterpillar]] has been built using this climber. | ||
===(13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber=== | === (13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber === | ||
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|pname = 131c31climber | |pname = 131c31climber | ||
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An interesting climber, the [[(13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber]] involves a climbing reaction that never isolates itself into a [[Herschel]] or [[B-heptomino]]. A spaceship based on it was first mentioned by Gabriel Nivasch as an afterthought on his caterpillar article. | An interesting climber, the [[(13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber]] involves a climbing reaction that never isolates itself into a [[Herschel]] or [[B-heptomino]]. A spaceship based on it was first mentioned by Gabriel Nivasch as an afterthought on his caterpillar article. | ||
{{AS OF|September 2025}} there have been no spaceships built with this reaction. | |||
===(27,1)c/72 Herschel climber=== | === (27,1)c/72 Herschel climber === | ||
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|pname = 271c72climber | |pname = 271c72climber | ||
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|position = center | |position = center | ||
}} | }} | ||
Much research has been conducted into a spaceship based on the [[(27,1)c/72 Herschel climber]], though discussion on it died out in mid-2019. | Much research has been conducted into a spaceship based on the [[(27,1)c/72 Herschel climber]], though discussion on it died out in mid-2019. | ||
===(13,4)c/41 B-heptomino climber=== | === (13,4)c/41 B-heptomino climber === | ||
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|pname = 134c41climber | |pname = 134c41climber | ||
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Consists of a B-heptomino climbing on gliders. Was initially proposed in 2014,<ref name="post15241" /> but no development happened until a brief burst of work in early 2021.<ref name="post123822" /> | Consists of a B-heptomino climbing on gliders. Was initially proposed in 2014,<ref name="post15241" /> but no development happened until a brief burst of work in early 2021.<ref name="post123822" /> | ||
===(31,5)c/137 climber=== | === (31,5)c/137 climber === | ||
{{EmbedViewer | {{EmbedViewer | ||
|rle = x = 142, y = 301, rule = B3/S23 | |rle = x = 142, y = 301, rule = B3/S23 | ||
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}} | }} | ||
This has been discussed somewhat following late 2022.<ref name="thread5867"/> | |||
=== (10,7)c/75 climber === | |||
===(10,7)c/75 climber=== | |||
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|rle = x = 116, y = 141, rule = B3/S23 | |rle = x = 116, y = 141, rule = B3/S23 | ||
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A spaceship based on this fuse has also been discussed, however its potential is doubtful.<ref name="thread6025" /> | A spaceship based on this fuse has also been discussed, however its potential is doubtful.<ref name="thread6025" /> | ||
===Half-bakery reaction=== | === Half-bakery reaction === | ||
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There is a well-known reaction in which a glider crashes into the side of a [[half-bakery]], shifting the loaves and releasing a glider. This reaction has been used to create [[Half-baked knightship]] and [[parallel HBK]], and was later used to create the [[HBK caterpillar]]. | There is a well-known reaction in which a glider crashes into the side of a [[half-bakery]], shifting the loaves and releasing a glider. This reaction has been used to create [[Half-baked knightship]] and [[parallel HBK]], and was later used to create the [[HBK caterpillar]]. | ||
===(28,3)c/84 climber=== | === (28,3)c/84 climber === | ||
{{EmbedViewer | {{EmbedViewer | ||
|rle = x = 124, y = 65, rule = B3/S23 | |rle = x = 124, y = 65, rule = B3/S23 | ||
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Consuming blinkers, a new blinker is produced with a significant shift. However, a large cluster of debris is left in the other direction, making stabilisation appear challenging.<ref name="post10714" /> | Consuming blinkers, a new blinker is produced with a significant shift. However, a large cluster of debris is left in the other direction, making stabilisation appear challenging.<ref name="post10714" /> | ||
==See also== | == See also == | ||
*[[Herschel climber]] | * [[Herschel climber]] | ||
*[[Herschel-pair climber]] | * [[Herschel-pair climber]] | ||
*[[Reburnable fuse]] | * [[Reburnable fuse]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
<references> | <references> | ||
<ref name="post10028">{{LinkForumThread | <ref name="post10028">{{LinkForumThread | ||
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</references> | </references> | ||
==External links== | == External links == | ||
* {{LinkForumThread|f=2|t=1182|title=13131: The B-Heptomino/Glider Spaceship Thread}} | * {{LinkForumThread|f=2|t=1182|title=13131: The B-Heptomino/Glider Spaceship Thread}} | ||
* {{LinkForumThread|f=2|t=1142|title=(23,5)c/79 spaceship components}} | * {{LinkForumThread|f=2|t=1142|title=(23,5)c/79 spaceship components}} | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 13 September 2025
A crawler or climber is a reaction in which two objects (or groups of objects) collide, leaving one of the objects moved backwards or forwards to a degree, and the other forward. Crawler reactions are commonly used to create engineered spaceships, also known as caterpillars.
List of crawlers
17c/45 pi heptomino crawler
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
Perhaps the first and most well known climber is the infamous 17c/45 reaction, consisting of a pi heptomino running over a blinker, moving it back 6 cells and rephasing it, whilst the pi heptomino moves forward 17 cells. This takes place in 45 generations.
The reaction was known for a long time, however the idea of a spaceship powered by this reaction was mentioned much later in 2002 by David Bell who had discovered reactions between multiple pies, which emitted gliders. After much work, Gabriel Nivasch finished construction of caterpillar, the first 17c/45 orthogonal spaceship, on 31 December 2004.
Research has been conducted into building much smaller 17c/45 spaceships with pi crawlers, analogously to the silverfish. Discussion has been ongoing since as early as 2013.[1]
31c/240 Herschel crawler
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
Another orthogonal crawler, the 31c/240 reaction, consisting of a Herschel crawling though blocks.
Several spaceships are known that use this 31c/240 crawler, in order of discovery being the shield bug, centipede, silverfish, Leaf bug, and Water strider, the latter being the smallest self-supporting spaceship in life.
(23,5)c/79 Herschel climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
The (23,5)c/79 Herschel climber involves a Herschel reacting with a stream of gliders, emitting more gliders behind it in the same way, displacing the Herschel by 23 cells vertically and 5 horizontally in the space of 79 generations. It can also crawl on certain still lifes as well as gliders.
This climber has been engineered and other components assembled by hand to create waterbear, which was the fastest known oblique spaceship until the discovery of Sir Robin in 2018.
(34,7)c/156 Herschel climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
The (34,7)c/156 Herschel climber is another notable oblique climber. An unnamed (34,7)c/156 caterpillar has been built using this climber.
(13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
An interesting climber, the (13,1)c/31 Pseudo-B climber involves a climbing reaction that never isolates itself into a Herschel or B-heptomino. A spaceship based on it was first mentioned by Gabriel Nivasch as an afterthought on his caterpillar article.
As of September 2025 there have been no spaceships built with this reaction.
(27,1)c/72 Herschel climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
Much research has been conducted into a spaceship based on the (27,1)c/72 Herschel climber, though discussion on it died out in mid-2019.
(13,4)c/41 B-heptomino climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
Consists of a B-heptomino climbing on gliders. Was initially proposed in 2014,[2] but no development happened until a brief burst of work in early 2021.[3]
(31,5)c/137 climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) |
This has been discussed somewhat following late 2022.[4]
(10,7)c/75 climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) |
A spaceship based on this fuse has also been discussed, however its potential is doubtful.[5]
Half-bakery reaction
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
There is a well-known reaction in which a glider crashes into the side of a half-bakery, shifting the loaves and releasing a glider. This reaction has been used to create Half-baked knightship and parallel HBK, and was later used to create the HBK caterpillar.
(28,3)c/84 climber
| (click above to open LifeViewer) |
Consists of a pair of Herschels climbing a track consisting of pairs of gliders. While it emits three gliders for every two it receives, it also emits an extra block. Research started in late 2023.[6]
Fuses which could be made into climbers
The following lists fuses which show potential for being made into workable climbers, but progress is yet to be made.
(8,1)c/32 p128 Herschel fuse
| (click above to open LifeViewer) |
This fuse eats gliders, spitting out double the amount of gliders, but leaving blocks behind in the process.[7]
(40,7)c/244 Herschel fuse
| (click above to open LifeViewer) |
Consuming blinkers, a new blinker is produced with a significant shift. However, a large cluster of debris is left in the other direction, making stabilisation appear challenging.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ Ivan Fomichev (December 8, 2013). Caterpillar's little brother research (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Ivan Fomichev (December 26, 2014). (13,4)c/41 crawlers (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Lucy D'Agostino (February 26, 2021). Re: (13,4)c/41 crawlers (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Lucy D'Agostino. (31,5)c/137 Caterpillar (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Can we make a (10,7)c/75 spaceship? (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Unfinished Herschel Climber (28,3) (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Sphenocorona (September 6, 2014). Re: Interesting simple fuses (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- ↑ Sphenocorona (February 9, 2014). Interesting simple fuses (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
External links
- 13131: The B-Heptomino/Glider Spaceship Thread (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- (23,5)c/79 spaceship components (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- (27,1)c/72 caterpillar challenge (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- (34,7)c/156 caterpillar (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums
- (13,4)c/41 crawlers (discussion thread) at the ConwayLife.com forums