Modular self-reconfigurable robot systems - Challenges and opportunities for the future

Modular self-reconfigurable systems promise significant technological advances to the field of robotics in general. Specifically, their promise of high versatility, high value and high robustness lead to a radical change in automation. Currently, a number of researchers are addressing many of the challenges. Some of these challenges include increasing the number of modular robots, self-repairing systems, self-sustaining systems, robotic self-replication and self-extension and reconciliation with thermodynamics. While some progress has been made, many challenges still exist.