ICTS:31611

Video URL

Spontaneous emergence of run-and-tumble-like dynamics in coupled self-propelled robots

Spontaneous emergence of run-and-tumble-like dynamics in coupled self-propelled robots

(2025). Spontaneous emergence of run-and-tumble-like dynamics in coupled self-propelled robots. SciVideos. https://youtu.be/SYNMLXs9puA

Spontaneous emergence of run-and-tumble-like dynamics in coupled self-propelled robots. SciVideos, Apr. 24, 2025, https://youtu.be/SYNMLXs9puA 

          @misc{ scivideos_ICTS:31611,
            doi = {},
            url = {https://youtu.be/SYNMLXs9puA},
            author = {},
            keywords = {},
            language = {en},
            title = {Spontaneous emergence of run-and-tumble-like dynamics in coupled self-propelled robots},
            publisher = {},
            year = {2025},
            month = {apr},
            note = {ICTS:31611 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/index.php/icts-tifr/31611}}
          }
Nitin Kumar
Talk numberICTS:31611
Source RepositoryICTS-TIFR
Collection

Abstract

Run-and-tumble (RT) motion is commonly observed in flagellated microswimmers, arising from synchronous and asynchronous flagellar beating. In addition to hydrodynamic interactions, mechanical coupling has recently been recognized to play a key role in flagellar synchronization. To explore this, we design a macroscopic model system that comprises dry, self-propelled robots linked by a rigid rod to model a biflagellated microorganism. To mimic a low Reynolds number environment, we program each robot to undergo overdamped active Brownian (AB) motion. We find that such a system exhibits RT-like behavior, characterized by sharp tumbles and exponentially distributed run times, consistent with real microswimmers. We quantify tumbling frequency and demonstrate its tunability across experimental parameters. Additionally, we provide a theoretical model that reproduces our results, elucidating physical mechanisms governing RT dynamics.