Designing and Modelling Situated Agents Systematically: Cyberoos'98

Mikhail Prokopenko
Applied Artificial Intelligence, CMIS

Friday, 11th December 1998
0930 - 1100

Lecture Theatre 2
University of Melbourne Computer Science Department
SEECS Building
221 Bouverie Street, Carlton.

Abstract:

In this talk we aim to analyse relationships between different approaches to formalising interactivity in dynamic systems.  Approaches developed in the framework of Reasoning about Action are mostly logic-based, rely on a centralised world model, and try to (explicitly) capture various aspects of rationality.  Another methodology evolved in the field of Multi-agent Systems.  It usually considers autonomous agents reacting to changes in external environment and (ideally) exhibiting emergent behaviour.

We first attempt to formally define various types of situated agent architectures and encapsulate them in a hierarchical framework.  Then we evaluate the role of systematic methodology for multi-agent modelling.  The approach can specifically assist in mapping logic theories of actions to reactive agent architectures, where ramifications are embedded in situated behaviours.

The described hierarchical framework has been used in the RoboCup Simulation League domain, resulting in implementation of the Cyberoos'98 - a soccer team of heterogeneous software agents.

The most recent RoboCup event (Pacific Rim Series 98) was held in Singapore, at the PRICAI'98.  Cyberoos'98 team has taken the 3rd place, winning 4 out of 7 games with a total score 26 : 14.

Biosketches:

Mikhail Prokopenko is leading the Robocup efforts in the Applied AI project at CMIS Sydney.  His research addresses the problem of incompleteness and change of knowledge, and involves description and analysis of logic-based formalisms for Reasoning about Action in multi-agent systems.  In particular, the relation and possible translations between causal and minimal change approaches to the Frame Problem are explored.

Mikhail received his M.Sc.(Hon.) (1988) in Applied Mathematics from the Azerbaijanian Institute of Petroleum and Chemistry (USSR), and M.A. (1994) in Economics from the University of Missouri - Columbia (USA).  Currently he is a PhD candidate at the Computing Department of the Macquarie University.