Abstract
We investigate a multi-agent algorithm inspired by the task allocation behavior of social insects for the solution of dynamic task allocation problems in stochastic environments. The problems consist of a certain number of machines and different kinds of tasks. The machines are identical and able to carry out each task. A setup, which is linked to a fixed cost, is required to switch from one task to another. Agents, which are inspired by the model of division of labour in social insects, are in charge of the machines. Our work is based on previously introduced models described by Cicirello et al. [7] and by Campos et al. [6]. Improvements and their effect on the results are highlighted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
E. Bonabeau, M. Dorigo, and G. Theraulaz. Swarm Intelligence: From Natural to Artificial Systems. Oxford University Press, New York, NY, 1999.
E. Bonabeau and G. Theraulaz. Swarm Smarts. Scientific American, 282(3):54–61, 2000.
E. Bonabeau, G. Theraulaz, and J.-L. Deneubourg. Quantitative Study of the Fixed Threshold Model for the Regulation of Division of Labour in Insect Societies. In Proceedings Roy. Soc. London B, volume 263, 1996.
E. Bonabeau, G. Theraulaz, and J.-L. Deneubourg. Fixed Response Thresholds and the Regulation of Division of Labor in Insect Societies. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 60:753–807, 1998.
B. Bullnheimer, R. F. Hartl, and C. Strauss. An Improved Ant System Algorithm for the Vehicle Routing Problem, 1997.
M. Campos, E. Bonabeau, G. Theraulaz, and J. L. Deneubourg. Dynamic Scheduling and Division of Labor in Social Insects. Adaptive Behavior 2000, pages 83–96, 2000.
V. A. Cicirello and S. F. Smith. Wasp-like Agents for Distributed Factory Coordination. Technical Report CMU-RI-TR-01-39, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, December 2001.
A. Colorni, M. Dorigo, V. Maniezzo, and M. Trubian. Ant System for Job-Shop Scheduling. JORBEL—Belgian Journal of Operations Research, Statistics and Computer Science, 34:39–53, 1994.
D. Costa and A. Hertz. Ants Can Colour Graphs. J. Op. Res. Soc., 48:295–305, 1997.
G. Di Caro and M. Dorigo. AntNet: Distributed stigmergetic control for communications networks. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 9:317–365, 1998.
M. Dorigo and L. M. Gambardella. Ant Colony System: A Cooperative Learning Approach to the Traveling Salesman Problem. IEEE Trans. Evol. Comp., 1:53–66, 1997.
L. M. Gambardella, É. D. Taillard, and M. Dorigo. Ant colonies for the quadratic assignment problem. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 50(2):167–176, 1999.
G. Theraulaz, E. Bonabeau, and J.-L. Deneubourg. Response Threshold Reinforcement and Division of Labour in Insect Societies. In Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, volume 265, pages 327–335, 1998.
E.O. Wilson. The Relation Between Caste Ratios and Division of Labour in the Ant Genus Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol., 16:89–98, 1984.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2002 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nouyan, S. (2002). Agent-Based Approach to Dynamic Task Allocation. In: Dorigo, M., Di Caro, G., Sampels, M. (eds) Ant Algorithms. ANTS 2002. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2463. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45724-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-45724-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-44146-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-45724-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive