locomotion

In this talk, I give a comprehensive overview of the amoebot model for programmable matter, dividing algorithms and applications into three main categories: deterministic/stateful algorithms, fully stochastic algorithms, and applications to swarm robotics.

We study the ensemble behavior of smarticles, smart active particles that are incapable of moving alone, but collectively can push against one another. We show that by introducing asymmetries among smarticles' behaviors, their chaotic interactions can yield directed motion.