Universal patterns and transitions in collective motion
Tamas Vicsek, Eötvös Loránd University
Abstract:
We address the question of finding unifying principles describing the essential aspects of collective motion, being one of the most relevant, widespread and spectacular manifestation of collective behaviour. After an introduction to the topic, several models as well as a few new experiments will be discussed. The models have been designed to capture both the general features of group motion as well as the behaviour of specific systems including tissue cell cultures and panicking people. The experimental observations involve groups of migrating keratocites, a system of self-propelled toy boats and a study of the group dynamics within homing pigeon flocks.