Optimizing self-rotating bristle-bots for active matter implementation with robotic swarms

Abstract

Abstract Robotic swarms have been recently explored as a versatile and scalable alternative to traditional microscale platforms for experimental studies of active matter. These robotic setups consist of either self-propelled or self-rotating particles. In the present paper, we develop and experimentally realize a swarm of self-rotating bristle-bots suitable for a wide range of active-matter experiments. We focus on optimizing the bristle-bot design and controlling the sliding friction between individual robots.