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Collaborative Agents for Complex Problems Solving

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Computational Intelligence

Part of the book series: Intelligent Systems Reference Library ((ISRL,volume 1))

Abstract

Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) are particularly well suited to complex problem solving, whether the MAS comprises cooperative or competitive (selfinterested) agents. In this context we discuss both dynamic team formation among the former, as well as partner selection strategies with the latter type of agent. One-shot, long-term, and (fuzzy-based) flexible formation strategies are compared and contrasted, and experiments described which compare these strategies along dimensions of Agent Search Time and Award Distribution Situation.We find that the flexible formation strategy is best suited to self-interested agents in open, dynamic environments. Agent negotiation among competitive agents is also discussed, in the context of collaborative problem solving. We present a modification to Zhang’s Dual Concern Model which enables agents to make reasonable estimates of potential partner behavior during negotiation. Lastly, we introduce a Quadratic Regression approach to partner behavior analysis/estimation, which overcomes some of the limitations of Machine Learning-based approaches.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

    Minjie Zhang, Quan Bai, Fenghui Ren & John Fulcher

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  1. Minjie Zhang
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  2. Quan Bai
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  3. Fenghui Ren
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  4. John Fulcher
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computer Science, Cardiff University , 5 The Parade,Roath, CF24 3AA, Cardiff, UK

    Christine L. Mumford

  2. University of South Australia Adelaide , Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia, Australia

    Lakhmi C. Jain

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Zhang, M., Bai, Q., Ren, F., Fulcher, J. (2009). Collaborative Agents for Complex Problems Solving. In: Mumford, C.L., Jain, L.C. (eds) Computational Intelligence. Intelligent Systems Reference Library, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01799-5_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-01799-5_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-01798-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-01799-5

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