Flock of Birds

Reynolds Boids is a good example of decentralized order not because the boids behavior is a perfect replica of the flocking of birds that occurs in nature — although it is a close enough match that Reynold s model has attracted the attention of professional ornithologists — but that much of the boids collective behavior is entirely unanticipated, and cannot be easily derived from the rules defining what each individual bold does. 

The breeze brushes over us and the leaves show their pale undersides like a wheeling flock of birds. Yes, I say, because I find I have. I ve forgiven Mark for leaving. And I ve forgiven him for not loving me. Only I m not going to say that, am I, because that s past, very past, long before Adam. 

More recently, high spatial precision 3-D sensors have become available via infrared LED markers combined and camera system (e.g., Optotrak—www.ndigital.com/lifesciences/certus-motioncapture-system.php) or electromagnetic trackers (e.g., Polhemus—polhemus.com Flock-of-Birds, trakSTAR— www.ascension-tech.com) and play an important role in 3-D virtual-environment systems (Mrotek et al., 2006 Myall et al, 2008). 

Fig. 28.3. Close-up of biopsy experiment a robot (the IBM/ JHU LARS) holds the ultrasound probe and a second robot is used for positioning a needle guide. On both, an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system (Flock of Birds, model 6D FOB, Ascension Technology, Inc.) interfaces with the robot workstation. [Reprinted with permission from Boctor et al. (2004)]...

There are many uses involving anticaking. Typical is the use of pyrogenic silica to keep antiperspirant powders from caking in propellant spray cans (588) and medicinal dusts to be dispersed above flocks of birds (589). 

C.L. Koerhuis, J.C. Winters, F.C. van der Helm, A.L. Hof. (2003) Neck mobility measurement by means of the Flock of Birds electromagnetic tracking system. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 18(1) 14-8. 

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