Sheepdogs, Physics, and the Algorithmic Control of Unpredictable Swarms

Two biophysicists studied how sheepdogs control sheep, discovering that they exploit, rather than suppress, the sheep's randomness. Through observation of trials and mathematical modeling, they found sheepdogs use a two-step process: nudging and then approaching. This inspired an algorithm predicting behavior in small, erratic groups, potentially applicable to robot and drone swarms. While the model has limitations, this research offers new perspectives on collective control strategies.