Related papers: On the Transformation Capability of Feasible Mecha…
We study a model of programmable matter systems consisting of $n$ devices lying on a 2-dimensional square grid which are able to perform the minimal mechanical operation of rotating around each other. The goal is to transform an initial…
The concept of programmable matter envisions a very large number of tiny and simple robot particles forming a smart material. Even though the particles are restricted to local communication, local movement, and simple computation, their…
We investigate computational issues in the distributed model Amoebots of programmable matter. In this model, the computational entities, called particles, are anonymous finite-state machines that operate and move on an hexagonal tasselation…
We study a model of programmable matter systems consisting of $n$ devices lying on a 2-dimensional square grid, which are able to perform the minimal mechanical operation of rotating around each other. The goal is to transform an initial…
Shape formation is a basic distributed problem for systems of computational mobile entities. Intensively studied for systems of autonomous mobile robots, it has recently been investigated in the realm of programmable matter. Namely, it has…
We consider a discrete system of $n$ devices lying on a 2-dimensional square grid and forming an initial connected shape $S_I$. Each device is equipped with a linear-strength mechanism which enables it to move a whole line of consecutive…
We consider a discrete system of $n$ simple indistinguishable devices, called \emph{agents}, forming a \emph{connected} shape $S_I$ on a two-dimensional square grid. Agents are equipped with a linear-strength mechanism, called a \emph{line…
The theory of spin models intersects with condensed matter physics, complex systems, graph theory, combinatorial optimization, computational complexity and neural networks. Many ensuing applications rely on the fact that complicated spin…
The sliding square model is a widely used abstraction for studying self-reconfigurable robotic systems, where modules are square-shaped robots that move by sliding or rotating over one another. In this paper, we propose a novel distributed…
Many proposals have already been made for realizing programmable matter, ranging from shape-changing molecules, DNA tiles, and synthetic cells to reconfigurable modular robotics. Envisioning systems of nano-sensors devices, we are…
Autonomous reconfiguration of agent-based systems is a key challenge in the study of programmable matter, distributed robotics, and molecular self-assembly. While substantial prior work has focused on size-preserving transformations, much…
In this paper, we study a discrete system of entities residing on a two-dimensional square grid. Each entity is modelled as a node occupying a distinct cell of the grid. The set of all $n$ nodes forms initially a connected shape $A$.…
Consider the problem of planning collision-free motion of $n$ objects in the plane movable through contact with a robot that can autonomously translate in the plane and that can move a maximum of $m \leq n$ objects simultaneously. This…
Molecular robotics is challenging, so it seems best to keep it simple. We consider an abstract molecular robotics model based on simple folding instructions that execute asynchronously. Turning Machines are a simple 1D to 2D folding model,…
Moving a module in a modular robot is a very complex and error-prone process. Unlike in swarm, in the modular robots we are targeting, the moving module must keep the connection to, at least, one other module. In order to miniaturize each…
We consider methods for connected reconfigurations by finite automate in the so-called \emph{hybrid} or \emph{Robot-on-Tiles} model of programmable matter, in which a number of simple robots move on and rearrange an arrangement of passive…
The scope of this paper is two-fold. First, to present to the researchers in combinatorics an interesting implementation of permutations avoiding generalized patterns in the framework of discrete-time dynamical systems. Indeed, the orbits…
We study the problem of planning paths for $p$ distinguishable pebbles (robots) residing on the vertices of an $n$-vertex connected graph with $p \le n$. A pebble may move from a vertex to an adjacent one in a time step provided that it…
In this paper, we study the computation of shortest paths within the \emph{geometric amoebot model}, a commonly used model for programmable matter. Shortest paths are essential for various tasks and therefore have been heavily investigated…
The ability to control electromagnetic fields on the subwavelength scale could open exciting new venues in many fields of science. Transformation optics provides one way to attain such control through the local variation of the permittivity…