ABSTRACT
Swarm robotics has a wide range of applications in numerous fields from space and subsea
exploration to the deployment of teams of interacting artificial agents in disposal
systems. In this paper, we introduce a model to simulate the emergent behaviour of multiagent
robot systems, based on principles from physical mechanics. The model is based on
mutual interactions among the swarm individuals. The main elements of these interactions
are repulsion forces, attraction forces, alignment forces and dissipative forces generated
by the swarm members. Using statistical tools, which are used to investigate simulated
group behaviour, we discuss the importance of introducing some dissipation to the system
as well as the effect of the interaction parameters on various components of the model.