Perhaps. More broadly, reduced constraints. Written differently, being able to choose the layer at which you solve the problem.
An example of this is that in robotics, the ability to properly insert a piston into an engine block without damage to the piston or block was an unsolved problem for some time in robotics. Doing so using machine vision and robotics control theory required engineering constraints that resulted in a too slow and expensive a mechanism for mechanized assembly lines.
Because of the total control of the assembly line, this problem was solved in the physical space through a reactive physical assembly using two connected planes (I'm sorry but I'm having a hell of a time tracking down a reference) rather than in software.
An example of this is that in robotics, the ability to properly insert a piston into an engine block without damage to the piston or block was an unsolved problem for some time in robotics. Doing so using machine vision and robotics control theory required engineering constraints that resulted in a too slow and expensive a mechanism for mechanized assembly lines.
Because of the total control of the assembly line, this problem was solved in the physical space through a reactive physical assembly using two connected planes (I'm sorry but I'm having a hell of a time tracking down a reference) rather than in software.