English
Related papers

Related papers: Shape Formation by Programmable Particles

200 papers

This paper presents a deterministic algorithm for forming a given asymmetric pattern in finite time by a set of autonomous, homogeneous, oblivious mobile robots under the CORDA model. The robots are represented as points on the 2D plane.…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2014-03-12 Sruti Gan Chaudhuri , Swapnil Ghike , Shrainik Jain , Krishnendu Mukhopadhyaya

The Arbitrary Pattern Formation problem asks for a distributed algorithm that moves a set of autonomous mobile robots to form any arbitrary pattern given as input. The robots are assumed to be autonomous, anonymous and identical. They…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2020-10-08 Kaustav Bose , Manash Kumar Kundu , Ranendu Adhikary , Buddhadeb Sau

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a robust motion formation distributed control algorithm for a team of mobile robots. The primary task for the team is to form a geometric shape, which can be freely translated and…

Robotics · Computer Science 2018-09-21 Hector Garcia de Marina , Johan Siemonsma , Bayu Jayawardhana , Ming Cao

Leader election is a fundamental problem in distributed computing, particularly within programmable matter systems, where coordination among simple computational entities is crucial for solving complex tasks. In these systems, particles…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2026-03-10 Jérémie Chalopin , Shantanu Das , Maria Kokkou

In this work, we study theoretical models of \emph{programmable matter} systems. The systems under consideration consist of spherical modules, kept together by magnetic forces and able to perform two minimal mechanical operations (or…

Data Structures and Algorithms · Computer Science 2017-03-14 Othon Michail , George Skretas , Paul G. Spirakis

\textsc{Arbitrary Pattern Formation} is a fundamental problem in autonomous mobile robot systems. The problem asks to design a distributed algorithm that moves a team of autonomous, anonymous and identical mobile robots to form any…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2021-02-17 Kaustav Bose , Archak Das , Buddhadeb Sau

Many standard structural quantities, such as order parameters and correlation functions, exist for common condensed matter systems, such as spherical and rod-like particles. However, these structural quantities are often insufficient for…

Soft Condensed Matter · Physics 2012-01-18 Aaron S. Keys , Christopher R. Iacovella , Sharon C. Glotzer

We consider an extension to the geometric amoebot model that allows amoebots to form so-called \emph{circuits}. Given a connected amoebot structure, a circuit is a subgraph formed by the amoebots that permits the instant transmission of…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2021-05-12 Michael Feldmann , Andreas Padalkin , Christian Scheideler , Shlomi Dolev

Shape formation is one of the most thoroughly studied problems in programmable matter and swarm robotics. However, in many models, the class of shapes that can be formed is highly restricted due to the particles' limited memory. In the…

Data Structures and Algorithms · Computer Science 2025-11-18 Jonas Friemel , David Liedtke , Christian Scheffer

Arbitrary Pattern Formation (APF) is a fundamental coordination problem in swarm robotics. It requires a set of autonomous robots (mobile computing units) to form an arbitrary pattern (given as input) starting from any initial pattern. This…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2024-03-28 Avisek Sharma , Satakshi Ghosh , Pritam Goswami , Buddhadeb Sau

The paper surveys topological problems relevant to the motion planning problem of robotics and includes some new results and constructions. First we analyse the notion of topological complexity of configuration spaces which is responsible…

Algebraic Topology · Mathematics 2017-01-10 Michael Farber

We investigate algorithmic control of a large swarm of mobile particles (such as robots, sensors, or building material) that move in a 2D workspace using a global input signal (such as gravity or a magnetic field). We show that a maze of…

Emerging Technologies · Computer Science 2017-12-05 Aaron T. Becker , Erik D. Demaine , Sándor P. Fekete , Jarrett Lonsforda , Rose Morris-Wright

In micro- and nano-scale systems, particles can be moved by using an external force like gravity or a magnetic field. In the presence of adhesive particles that can attach to each other, the challenge is to decide whether a shape is…

Computational Geometry · Computer Science 2022-06-16 Jakob Keller , Christian Rieck , Christian Scheffer , Arne Schmidt

We present a geometric design rule for size-controlled clustering of self-propelled particles. We show that active particles that tend to rotate under an external force have an intrinsic, signed parameter with units of curvature which we…

Assembling parts into an object is a combinatorial problem that arises in a variety of contexts in the real world and involves numerous applications in science and engineering. Previous related work tackles limited cases with identical unit…

Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition · Computer Science 2022-06-22 Jinhwi Lee , Jungtaek Kim , Hyunsoo Chung , Jaesik Park , Minsu Cho

We propose a new probabilistic pattern formation algorithm for oblivious mobile robots that operates inthe ASYNC model. Unlike previous work, our algorithm makes no assumptions about the local coordinatesystems of robots (the robots do not…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2017-09-21 Quentin Bramas , Sébastien Tixeuil

Particle systems are physical systems of simple computational particles that can bond to neighboring particles and use these bonds to move from one spot to another (non-occupied) spot. These particle systems are supposed to be able to…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2013-07-17 Shlomi Dolev , Robert Gmyr , Andrea W. Richa , Christian Scheideler

Pattern formation is one of the most fundamental problems in distributed computing, which has recently received much attention. In this paper, we initiate the study of distributed pattern formation in situations when some robots can be…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2020-08-28 Debasish Pattanayak , Klaus-Tycho Foerster , Partha Sarathi Mandal , Stefan Schmid

Programmable matter (PM) is a form of matter capable of dynamically altering its physical properties, such as shape or density, through programmable means. From a robotics perspective, PM can be realized as a distributed system consisting…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2024-10-10 Yonghwan Kim , Yoshiaki Katayama , Koichi Wada

Addressing a fundamental problem in programmable matter, we present the first deterministic algorithm to elect a unique leader in a system of connected amoebots assuming only that amoebots are initially contracted. Previous algorithms…

Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster Computing · Computer Science 2019-05-03 Yuval Emek , Shay Kutten , Ron Lavi , William K. Moses