Collision detection typically refers to the computational problem of detecting the intersection of two or more objects. While the topic is most often associated with its use in
video games and other
physical simulations, it also has applications in
robotics. In addition to determining whether two objects have collided, collision detection systems may also calculate
time of impact (TOI), and report a
contact manifold (the set of intersecting points).
Collision response deals with simulating what happens when a collision is detected (see
physics engine,
ragdoll physics). Solving collision detection problems requires extensive use of concepts from
linear algebra and
computational geometry.