z0mb1e:
Agent-Based Zombie and Human Behavior Simulation
This is a group project I worked on for Graduate Level Mathematical Modeling Case Studies. My partner, Camilla, and I had two weeks to complete this project.
Abstract
The goal of our model is to create a realistic simulation of a zombie infection, from which we can predict how changes in human behavior affect the probability of zombie eradication. We used Matlab to create an agent-based simulation of zombie and human behavior. We simulated four different zombie-outbreak scenarios inspired by popular zombie movies: Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, Zombieland, and Resident Evil. Our human agents have the capability to flee from zombies, shoot at zombies, fight zombies in hand-to-hand combat, form groups, and random-walk with a bias toward their safe house. Our zombie agents have the capability to chase humans they can see, and random walk with a bias toward the nearest human agent. Our model is currently much more complex than any other agent-based zombie infection models that are readily available on the internet. Our four zombie infection scenarios cover a wide range possibilities and can be varied further by changing parameters. If a zombie outbreak occurs, we are confident that our model can be adjusted to represent the situation.
Movies
Dawn of the Dead
In this simulation, 90% of the population are initially set to zombies. The zombies can run at top-human speeds. The zombies are easy to fight, but hard to kill. Guns are moderately available. The humans form 3 groups and all share one large, impenetrable, safe house in the middle of the neighborhood. The zombies have an expected decay time of 4 weeks. The zombies move with a bias towards the nearest human.
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28 Days Later
In this simulation, 50% of the population are initially set to zombies. The zombies can run at top-human speeds. The zombies are very difficult to kill in hand-to-hand combat, but are easily killed with a firearm. The humans form three groups and have separate safe houses. Zombies have an expected decay time of 8 weeks. Guns are scarce. Zombies are unaware of humans they can't see.
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Zombieland
In this simulation, we set the initial zombie population to 70% of the overall population. Zombies are easily killed in both hand-to-hand combat and with firearms. Firearms are readily available. Humans form 3 groups and have separate safe houses. Zombies are capable of running at top human speeds. Zombies do not decay, but they behave dangerously and have shorter lifespans as a result. Zombies are capable of randomly entering safe houses.
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Resident Evil
Resident Evil is the deadliest of our simulations, even though zombies begin as only 4% of the population, and are relatively easy to kill. The t-virus is extremely contagious so even if a human wins a fight with a zombie they have a 50% chance of becoming a zombie. The longer the zombies are infected, the stronger and faster they grow. Zombies become capable of running faster than top human speeds.
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