As computer systems have become more complex, numerous competing approaches have been proposed for these systems to self-configure, self-manage, self-repair, etc. such that human intervention in their operation can be minimized. In ubiquitous systems this has always been a central issue as well. In this paper we overview techniques to implement self- * properties in large-scale, decentralized networks through bio-inspired techniques in general, and gossip-based algorithms in particular. We

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... ve that gossip-based algorithms could be an important inspiration for solving problems in ubiquitous computing as well. As an example, we outline a novel approach to arrange large numbers of mobile agents (e.g., vehicles, rescue teams carrying mobile devices) into different formations in a totally decentralized manner. The approach is inspired by the biological mechanism of cell sorting via differential adhesion, as well as by our earlier work in self-organizing peer-to-peer overlay networks.