Robotics: self-reproducing machines.
Self-reproduction is central to biological life for long-term sustainability and evolutionary adaptation. Although these traits would also be desirable in many engineered systems, the principles of self-reproduction have not been exploited in machine design. Here we create simple machines that act as autonomous modular robots and are capable of physical self-reproduction using a set of cubes.
Zykov
Victor
V
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Mytilinaios
Efstathios
E
Adams
Bryant
B
Lipson
Hod
H
D000818:Animals; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D004867:Equipment Design; D019369:Life; D008954:Models, Biological; D009038:Motion; D012098:Reproduction; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*