Modelling of collective motion

Abstract

Collective motion can be observed in many systems at various length scales. Ranging from the interaction of microswimmers at the microscopic scale to the dynamics of people and flocking behaviours of birds at the macroscopic scale, the natural world is home to many examples of collective responses. The emergence of collective motion in systems has long fascinated the scientific community with the classical approach for their study based on experimental observation. However, the development of suitable computer algorithms has significantly supplemented and complemented these empirical studies while also motivating new research fields on collective behaviour. This chapter outlines methods for measuring collective motion and key algorithms for the simulation of collective responses in birds, fish, mammals and people.