Particle robots, working as a an oscillating group do not have any need for centralised control. The particle robots change their rhythms based on how intense a nearby light is shining.
Robots that work together in this way could move through different types of environments, even places that they have never visted before. Working together as an oscillating group means that they to not need to plan, or come up with a strategy. They can be flexible and adapt to the new envrioment in real time.
Clusters of particle robots do not need to be organised in a particular shape to work. Instead they can just like clusters of cells move as a blob without any clearly defined shape or form.
Particle Robot – Inspirational videos
Biomimicry for Young Children 