Self-assembling assemblers and manipulators built from a set of primitive blocks

A self-assembling system comprising:

• a linear step actuator module that moves from one lattice location to another lattice location on a grid;
• a plurality of mechanical, electrical, semiconducting, or magnetic, construction parts;
• a plurality of structural blocks having four in-plane connections;
• a plurality of actuator blocks having four in-plane connections, the construction parts, structural blocks and the actuator blocks being supplied from a feedstock located near the grid;
• at least one gripper module cooperating with the linear step actuator module to grip the construction parts, actuator blocks and structural blocks to move them to particular locations on the grid;
• wherein the linear step actuator module and the gripper module construct systems made of the construction parts, structural blocks and actuator blocks that interlock with one-another via at least two in-plane connections to produce functional bricks;
• wherein the grid supplies power and control signals to the linear step actuator module and the at least one gripper module.