Abstract

Cellular Automata are a simple, yet powerful modeling and simulation technique, easily employed if the system to be examined consists of a set of uniform entities that are located in a neighborhood relation to each other. The simple structure and fast execution of Cellular Automata allow for very large models, their inherent parallelism enables a comparatively simple parallelization.
This paper gives an overview on the concepts of Cellular Automata-based modeling and simulation, with a special focus on neighborhood concepts, border types, and transition functions, and describes current applications of the paradigm in the areas of the simulation of transportation networks, additive manufacturing, as well as urban growth and development. It is aimed at students of the craft as well as practitioners who might want to take a look beyond the GUI of their modeling tools.