# Physical Computing: A Category Theoretic Perspective on Physical Computation and System Compositionality

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.00392 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.00392/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 1 of its 75 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 1 Oct 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [A Category Theoretic Interpretation of Gandy's Principles for Mechanisms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1904.10109/) (2019)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Bio-inspired AI: Integrating Biological Complexity into Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.15243/) (2024)
- [Evolutionary Optimization Reveals Structural Constraints on Reservoir Architecture for Spatiotemporal Chaos](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.22765/) (2026)
- [Rethinking Cognition: Morphological Info-Computation and the Embodied Paradigm in Life and Artificial Intelligence](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2412.00751/) (2024)

## Abstract (arXiv)

This paper introduces a category theory-based framework to redefine physical computing in light of advancements in quantum computing and non-standard computing systems. By integrating classical definitions within this broader perspective, the paper rigorously recontextualizes what constitutes physical computing devices and processes. It demonstrates how the compositional nature and relational structures of physical computing systems can be coherently formalized using category theory. This approach not only encapsulates recent formalisms in physical computing but also offers a structured method to explore the dynamic interactions within these systems.