For robots, the future is modular

www.androidrobo.com

Most robots are designed with a “nervous system” similar in outline to your or mine: sensors deliver input to a central processing unit (a “brain”), which in turn issues instructions to move or perform other actions. Though modular robots that can work together do exist, their control systems generally consist of simple signalling between units – something like single-celled slime molds that can exhibit a degree of organised behaviour without central control.