Transcript Multi-agent systems

Multi-Agent Systems
(MAS)
Tom Holvoet
Dept. Computer Science, KULeuven
Research group on
Distributed Systems and Computer Networks
Topic 1: Introduction
background
 course material
 goals / contents / ...
 class sessions / practical work
 examination
 practical information
 course overview
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MAS course: objectives / content
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MAS course
Software Engineering using Multi-Agent Systems
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situate MAS in “mainstream software engineering”
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mostly distributed software engineering
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just a few topics in this course, and even then, just fragments of these
topics
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general perspective
typical agent architectures
interaction
communication
ant-like systems
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“Agents are 99% computer science, and 1% A.I.” (Etzioni)
MAS course: objectives / content
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After this course, you should be able to…
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Situate multi-agent systems in a software engineering perspective
 Judging the usefulness of a multi-agent system for distributed problem
solving
 Make well-founded decisions in defining multi-agent system software
architectures, including
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Agents
Agent behavior architecture
Coordination schemes
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Message-based vs. envrironment-centric coordination
taking into account non-functional requirements of scalability, flexibility,
adaptability
MAS prerequisites
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object-oriented programming
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exercises
terminology
software development
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basic terminology of distributed systems / AI
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helps:
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software engineering in general
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UP, requirements, analysis, OOD, design patterns
MAS: classes, exercises, practical work
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officially:
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19.5 hours
10 hours
lectures
exercise sessions
planning in practice:
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+- 7 lectures (1.5h)
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“theory”
discussion
4 exercise sessions (2.5h)
 PC lab sessions
 Robrecht Haesevoets
([email protected])
MAS course material
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transparencies – on-line
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book/chapter/paper material
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M. Wooldridge, “An Introduction to MultiAgent Systems”
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(Wiley, 2002)
detailed description
background information
exercises
examples
...
C. Larman, Applying UML and Patterns, chapter 33
M. Wooldridge, Reasoning about Rational Agents, chapter 1-2
Bratman, Israel, Pollack, Plans and Resource-bounded Practical Reasoning
Bonabeau, Dorigo, Theraulaz, Swarm Intelligence – From Natural to Artificial
Systems, chapter 1-2
Wooldridge, Jennings, Software Engineering with Agents: Pitfalls and Pratfalls
…
MAS examination: project
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MAS project
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distribution of project description: April
group of 2 students
write a comprehensive document (10-12 pages)
prepare a short presentation / questions
exam: discuss
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“engineer a particular application using MAS”
 analysis / architecture / design
 make an implementation
 report
your paper
Deadline
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Wednesday, June 6 16h00
submit at secretariat Computer Science and on-line
time mgt … !!
MAS course website
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“Toledo” / Blackboard
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http://toledo.kuleuven.be/
course material
course ID: B-KUL-H02H4A
discussion forum
interesting links
project information
questions / remarks / suggestions / ...
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register !!
MAS course overview
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1. Introduction
2. Multi-Agent Systems
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general / application domains / examples / …
3. Multi-Agent Systems in Software Engineering
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(tentative)
position of MAS in UP
4. Agent Architectures
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agent architectures
deductive reasoning agents / practical reasoning agents / reactive agents / hybrid agents
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5. Communication
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multi-agent architectures
agent communication languages (ACLs)
FIPA
6. Actions / Interactions / Cooperation
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action models
interaction
cooperation
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7. Cooperative Distributed Problem Solving
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8. Ant- / Swarm-based Systems
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9. Coordination and Control Applications
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emergence
ACO
delegate MAS
manufacturing control
warehouse management
10. Conclusion
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Agent-Oriented Software Engineering methodologies
pitfalls and pratfalls