Group-Size Selection for a Parameterized Class of Predator-Prey Models

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate whether we can qualitatively recover the appropriate group sizes for a team of predators by varying environmental and operational conditions. The result is a combination of biologically inspired analytical and algorithmic tools that not only establish guaranteed capture conditions, but also identify the number of predators needed for a successful capture. We implement the parameterized model on a team of mobile robots to validate that it is possible to generate a cooperative strategy that achieves capture with this model and these tools.