Flocking: Difference between revisions
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'''Flocking''' is the collective motion of a large number of self-propelled entities and is a collective animal behavior exhibited by many living beings such as birds, fish, bacteria, and insects. It is an example of [[Swarm_Intelligence|swarm intelligence]]. Flocking behavior was first simulated on a computer in 1986 by Craig Reynolds with his simulation program, Boids. This program simulates simple agents (boids) that are allowed to move according to a set of basic rules. The result is akin to a flock of birds, a school of fish, or a swarm of insects. | |||
Basic models of flocking behavior are controlled by three simple rules: | |||
#[[Separation (behavior)|Separation]] - avoid crowding neighbors (short range repulsion) | |||
#[[Alignment (behavior)|Alignment]] - steer towards average heading of neighbors | |||
#[[Cohesion (behavior)|Cohesion]] - steer towards average position of neighbors (long range attraction) | |||
In short: stay close to the group, but stay away from individuals. With these simple rules, the flock moves in a realistic way, creating complex motion and interaction that would be extremely hard to create otherwise. | |||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
* Wikipedia entry for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flocking_(behavior) flocking behavior] | * Wikipedia entry for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flocking_(behavior) flocking behavior] | ||
Revision as of 14:22, 30 September 2009
Flocking is the collective motion of a large number of self-propelled entities and is a collective animal behavior exhibited by many living beings such as birds, fish, bacteria, and insects. It is an example of swarm intelligence. Flocking behavior was first simulated on a computer in 1986 by Craig Reynolds with his simulation program, Boids. This program simulates simple agents (boids) that are allowed to move according to a set of basic rules. The result is akin to a flock of birds, a school of fish, or a swarm of insects.
Basic models of flocking behavior are controlled by three simple rules:
- Separation - avoid crowding neighbors (short range repulsion)
- Alignment - steer towards average heading of neighbors
- Cohesion - steer towards average position of neighbors (long range attraction)
In short: stay close to the group, but stay away from individuals. With these simple rules, the flock moves in a realistic way, creating complex motion and interaction that would be extremely hard to create otherwise.
Links
- Wikipedia entry for flocking behavior
