The design of multi-agent coordination and control systems using stigmergy (2001)
| Venue: | In Proceedings of the third International Workshop on Emergent Synthesis (IWES01 |
| Citations: | 7 - 0 self |
BibTeX
@INPROCEEDINGS{Valckenaers01thedesign,
author = {Paul Valckenaers and Martin Kollingbaum and Hendrik Van Brussel and Olaf Bochmann},
title = {The design of multi-agent coordination and control systems using stigmergy},
booktitle = {In Proceedings of the third International Workshop on Emergent Synthesis (IWES01},
year = {2001}
}
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Abstract
Stigmergy is a coordination mechanism observable in biological insect societies like ant colonies. It is based on the behavior of these ants to create a dissipative field by spreading smelling substances into their environment. Ants permanently interact with this dissipative field, being guided by it to certain activities and changing it by spreading pheromones as a reflection of their activities. Stigmergy allows complex social behavior to emerge from simple activities of single ants. It has surprisingly good properties in terms of flexibility and adaptability. This paper presents concepts for designing agent-based control systems based on the concept of stigmergy. It shows necessary concepts for a software architecture to allow stigmergic acting of agents, and how stigmergic concepts yield a suitable control behavior. An example in manufacturing control is used for illustration. Key words: pheromone, emergent, shop floor control 1.
