Interaction Rules Supporting Effective Flocking Behavior

Abstract

Several simulation models have demonstrated how flocking behavior emerges from the interaction among individuals that react to the relative orientation of their neighbors based on simple rules. However, the precise nature of these rules and the relationship between the characteristics of the rules and the efficacy of the resulting collective behavior are unknown. In this article, we analyze the effect of the strength with which individuals react to the orientation of neighbors located in different sectors of their visual fields and the benefit that could be obtained by using control rules that are more elaborate than those normally used. Our results demonstrate that considering only neighbors located on the frontal side of the visual field permits an increase in the aggregation level of the swarm. Using more complex rules and/or additional sensory information does not lead to better performance.

Keywords: Behavioral rules; autonomous agents; flocking; self-organization; swarm behavior.