Friction asymmetry characterized by different friction coefficients in opposite directions, is a critical feature of movement for many organisms such as snakes whose skin is covered by oriented micro-scales. It has been proposed to be central also in the motion of cells on substrates conditioned by polar extracellular matrix and we have indeed shown that artificial substrates breaking the left-right symmetry were highly efficient in directing the transport of cells at high density close to confluence. The collective effect is much stronger than the superimposition of individual behaviors. If the principle of motion in asymmetric environments is relatively well understood, this amplification of the effect at high surface density remains elusive. To better understand this situation, we are developing a simpler system inspired by these biology experiments and consisting in active macroscopic particles (“robots”) on a vibrating ratchet-like surface. Practically, ratchet substrates can be fabricated by a variety of techniques including high resolution 3D printing or laser cutting. In this artificial system, the physical parameters can be well controlled: speed, elasticity, weight…of the particles; elasticity, geometry … of the surface. By playing on this limited number of parameters, we aim at reproducing the flocking-like behavior of cells with artificial particles in a beautiful example of bioinspired robots’ swarm.