Spontaneous robot dances highlight a new kind of order in active matter

Researchers have proposed a new principle by which active matter systems can spontaneously order, without need for higher level instructions or even programmed interaction among the agents. And they have demonstrated this principle in a variety of systems, including groups of periodically shape-changing robots called 'smarticles.'

source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201231141507.htm