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This is quite cool. I would love to have an ELI5 to why these bots tend to cluster and stop acting randomly than, once they do. I am currently not understandin

This is quite cool. I would love to have an ELI5 to why these bots tend to cluster and stop acting randomly than, once they do. I am currently not understanding (not having read the original paper) if there are basic rules being programmed into them. Or if this is really "just" emergent behavior from random movement.

razodactyl 5y ago
It’s simply emergent behaviour. The only “programmed” part is with the flashlight. However there is some form of manipulation going on. They act as a combined organism due to the fact that they are physically constrained together. The emergent behaviour is due to interference of all members combined. I’m assuming the clustering is due to a common equilibrium reached when they’re lined up next to each other. Remember that they’re running DC motors with weights on the ends so they’ll resonate together. Overall it looks like in some scenarios the behaviour becomes cyclic due to above - I’m also wondering if at some point deterministic. Regardless, it’s a great example of emergent behaviour. Like Boids, Bees or Game of Life.