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These aggregates can reconfigure dynamically and also split into subsystems that might later recombine. Aggregates can self-organize into collective states with solid- and liquid-like properties, thus displaying widely differing compliance. These states can be perturbed locally via actuators or externally via mechanical feedback from the environment to produce adaptive shape-shifting in a decentralized manner. This, in turn, can generate locomotion strategies adapted to different conditions. Aggregates can move over obstacles without using external sensors or coordinates to maintain a steady gait over different surfaces without electronic communication among units. The modular design highlights a physical, morphological form of control that advances the development of resilient robotic systems with the ability to morph and adapt to different functions and conditions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1126\/scirobotics.adh4130","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,1,24]],"date-time":"2024-01-24T18:58:56Z","timestamp":1706122736000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.34133\/aaas_crossmark","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":52,"title":["A self-organizing robotic aggregate using solid and liquid-like collective states"],"prefix":"10.1126","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6815-2797","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Baudouin","family":"Saintyves","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA."}]},{"given":"Matthew","family":"Spenko","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA."}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-0270-6870","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Heinrich M.","family":"Jaeger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"James Franck Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA."},{"name":"Department of Physics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA."}]}],"member":"221","reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/scirobotics.aan5074"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_3_2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1261689"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_4_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"J. 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