On Self-referential Shape Replication in Robust Aerospace Vehicles

We describe a multi-cellular shape replication mechanism implemented in a sensing and communication network, motivated by robust self-monitoring and self-repairing aerospace vehicles. In particular, we propose a self-referential representation (a “genome”), enabling self-inspection and selfrepair; an algorithm solving the problem for connected and disconnected shapes; and a robust algorithm recovering from possible errors in the “genome”. The presented mechanism can replicate combinations of predefined shapes and arbitrary shapes that self-organise in response to occurring damage.