This study shows that a task as complicated as patch sorting can be accomplished with a 'minimalist' solution employing four simple rules. The solution is an extension of the object clustering research of Beckers et al. and the object sorting research of Melhuish et al. Beckers et al. used a very simple mechanism and achieved puck clustering in an arena with simple robots. Melhuish et al. extended this technique to sort two objects, again using simple robots and a simple mechanism. The new mechanism reported in this paper, explores the sorting of any number of different objects into separate clusters. The method works by comparing two objects: the object the robot is carrying and, using a special antenna, the object with which the robot has collided. The results in this paper provide a demonstration of the success of this n-colour mechanism.
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