Dynamic Applications Using Multi-Agents Systems

Abstract

The aim of this research is to efficiently provide reusable autonomous capabilities to agent supervisors within teams, without the need to re-instantiate agents representing specific capabilities. Agent teaming techniques have already been used to enhance the behaviour and flexibility of agent communication in the real world applications. The theory of this concept needs to be simulated in order to generate Measures Of Efficiency (MOE) and Measures Of Performance (MOP). A concept demonstrator uses persistent components that assemble at design-time called the Agent Factory Demonstrator (AFD). It has been developed to show how a Multi-Agent System (MAS) can dynamically create capabilities using a single agent supervisor. This architecture is also used to show how the changing composition of a team can be used to efficiently complete a variety of tasks using adaptive capabilities provided in a manner similar to a team of single agents. The simulator uses a Java Graphical User Interface (GUI) supported by an agent oriented design in order to autonomously coordinate MAS Teams which can be enhanced further by incorporating other MAS to dynamically improve communication and knowledge-sharing. Knowledge Interchange Format (KIF), Agent Communication Languages (ACL), Knowledge Query Manipulation Language (KQML), FIPA Agent Communication Languages (FIPA ACL) and Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) have already been revised in an attempt to create a universal communication model that adapts to transient agent teams dynamically. Complementary research on a variety of agent tools (specifically JACK, JADE and CIAgent) has also been conducted to adapt the lessons learned into the AFD to generate results worthy of further effort.