Lateral flow interactions enhance speed and stabilize formations of flapping swimmers

While classic hydrodynamic models predict ordered formations for fish schools, observations show that schools are seemingly disordered. Our experiments on robotic swimmers may help to reconcile this discrepancy by showing that many different formations all emerge spontaneously and are stabilized due to flow interactions. Surprisingly, these locked states extend almost twice as far downstream for laterally displaced swimmers as for those in line. We also observe significant boosts in swimming speed???up to 60% faster than an isolated swimmer???for side-by-side formations. These findings demonstrate that benefits such as group cohesion and speed enhancement arise naturally via flow interactions and for the diverse relative arrangements seen in schools.

Automated summary

While classic hydrodynamic models predict ordered formations for fish schools, observations show that schools are seemingly disordered. Our experiments on robotic swimmers reveal that many different formations can emerge spontaneously and be stabilized due to flow interactions. Interestingly, the locked states for laterally displaced swimmers extend almost twice as far downstream as for those in line, and swimming speed can be significantly boosted (up to 60% faster) in side-by-side formations. These findings demonstrate the natural occurrence of benefits such as group cohesion and speed enhancement through flow interactions, regardless of the diverse relative arrangements seen in schools.