So I have an AI chr and I want it to be peaceful and run away from an orb of light that is in the game. The problem is right now it keeps running into walls and doesn't really try to get away from the Orb.

if(Dist(pos(), PlayerOrb.matrix.pos) > 10)
actionBreak();
else
{
if(Physics.ray(pos(), Matrix().z))
direction.chs();
moveTo(direction);
}

PlayerOrb is the object I want the NPC to run from, and it will "feel safe" and stop at a distance greater than 10. With the Physics.ray() call I'm trying to determine if the NPC is running into a wall, and to run in the opposite direction. moveTo actually just calls actionMoveDir(direction).

Any thoughts on how to better detect walls?

Why can't you just use built-in pathfinding? Just randomize a position over 10 meters from player orb and then call moveTo(POSITION).