Termites exhibit complex and emergent behaviour that is still poorly understood in terms of both causes and mechanisms. We explore emergent cooperative behaviour amongst systems of simulated termites through a microscopic model capable of supporting realistic numbers of individual termites in a nest. We explore possible individual characteristics of a model termite as they might respond to breaches in the nest wall. We report on how a simulated thermal gradient may suffice as a communications mechanisms that enables individual termites to cooperate in repair of a wall breach of their nest or mound on behalf of their macroscopic community. We review how intelligent agent-based models could explain some observed termite collective behaviours.
Keywords: termites; Agent Based Models; emergent behaviour; autonomous systems.
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