Decision making swarms

Sanza Kazadi, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
George Jeno, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Xinyu Guan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Nick Nusgart '17, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Andriy Sheptunov, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Abstract

While swarms that execute decisions are well known in the swarm community, swarms that exhibit this capability a priori have never before been achieved. We demonstrate a methodology, based on the Hamiltonian method of swarm design, that enables the design and implementation of swarms that exhibit decision-making capability. We develop the theoretical structure of the method and apply it to the development of an ant algorithm and a swarm capable of deciding whether its density exceeds a specific predetermined value. The swarm designs are validated in simulation.