Optimization of route planning and exploration using multi agent system

• Published in: Multimedia tools and applications Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 245 - 265
• Main Authors: Zafar, Kashif, Baig, Abdul Rauf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.01.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Algorithms; Analysis; Architecture; Artificial intelligence; Computer Communication Networks; Computer Science; Data Structures and Information Theory; Heuristic; Land mines; Multiagent systems; Multimedia Information Systems; Optimization; Optimization techniques; Pheromones; Planning; Real time; Route optimization; Route planning; Searching; Special Purpose and Application-Based Systems; Studies; Unknown environments; Ant colony optimization; Autonomous agents; Swarm intelligence; Multi agent system; Route planning
• ISSN: 1380-7501; 1573-7721
• DOI: 10.1007/s11042-010-0585-0

This research presents an optimization technique for route planning and exploration in unknown environments. It employs the hybrid architecture that implements detection, avoidance and planning using autonomous agents with coordination capabilities. When these agents work for a common objective, they require a robust information interchange module for coordination. They cannot achieve the goal when working independently. The coordination module enhances their performance and efficiency. The multi agent systems can be employed for searching items in unknown environments. The searching of unexploded ordinance such as the land mines is an important application where multi agent systems can be best employed. The hybrid architecture incorporates learning real time A* algorithm for route planning and compares it with A* searching algorithm. Learning real time A* shows better results for multi agent environment and proved to be efficient and robust algorithm. A simulated ant agent system is presented for route planning and optimization and proved to be efficient and robust for large and complex environments.