Dissipation-accuracy tradeoffs in autonomous control of smart active matter

TL;DR

This paper explores the fundamental physical limits of energy dissipation versus localization accuracy in autonomous control of bio-inspired micro-machines, deriving a theoretical tradeoff and optimal control strategies.

Contribution

It introduces a stochastic thermodynamic framework linking dissipation and localization accuracy, and derives optimal steering policies for minimal energy use.

Findings

Established a fundamental dissipation-accuracy tradeoff.

Derived optimal control policies for energy-efficient localization.

Provided a theoretical basis for designing energy-constrained micro-machines.

Abstract

The study of motility control by smart agents offers a promising platform for systematically exploring the fundamental physical constraints underlying the functioning of bio-inspired micro-machines operating far from equilibrium. Here, we address the question of the energy cost required for a self-steering active agent to localise itself within a specific region of space or follow a pre-defined trajectory under the influence of fluctuations and external flows. Building on a stochastic thermodynamic formulation of the problem, we derive a generic relationship between dissipation and localisation accuracy, which reveals a fundamental dissipation-accuracy tradeoff constraining the agent's performance. In addition, we illustrate how our framework enables the derivation of optimal steering policies that achieve localisation at minimum energy expenditure.