Simulation of phototactic and puddle-crossing behaviors: a step toward assembling swarm logic gates using soldier crabs

Abstract Living organisms have been expected to realize an emergent computing. Although a wide variety of biological systems has been exploited as computing devices, there have been a few attempts of computing devices employing animal collective behaviors. Previous studies have implemented collision-based logical gates employing swarms of soldier crabs, Mictyris guinotae . However, how to control their movements in connected multiple gates has yet to be proposed. This study focused on their characteristic behaviors, a positive phototaxis and a puddle-crossing, as a mechanism by which they would autonomously adapt the group size at the joint part of the assembled gates. We performed simulation with the mutual anticipation model, where agents interact with each other based on potential transitions. The model successfully reproduced these behaviors by adjusting environmental factors. We propose how to use them for interconnections between logic gates and discuss its significance in terms of cognitive interaction.