The definition of self-organizing behavior suitably represented has
permitted the use of Information Theoretic techniques to synthesize
a (mathematical) mechanism for a self-organizing machine. Physical
mechanization in the form of an NPO has been accomplished and has
introduced the experimental phase of the program. From among the many
items deserving of further study we may mention: more economical
physical mechanization through introduction of modern technology;
identification of networks of NPO’s with their group theoretic
descriptions; analysis of the dimensionality of tasks which a SOM might
be called on to simulate, and prototype SOM applications to related
tasks. It is hoped that progress along these lines can be reported in
the future.