dr rem collier department of computer science university college dublin email: [email protected]...

Dr Rem CollierDepartment of Computer ScienceUniversity College Dublin

email: [email protected]

Agent FactoryA Software Engineering Framework for Intelligent Agents

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd.

Research Area

Multi-Agent Systems are “intelligent distributed systems” that

are comprised of a set of computational units, known asagents, which interact with one another, engenderingcooperation, collaboration, and coordination, thusenabling them to solve problems that are beyond theirindividual abilities.

Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) is

concerned with the creation of tools, techniques, and methodologies that facilitate the construction of multi-agent systems.

I am interested in supporting the fabication of agents that are:

autonomous, situated, social, intentional, and mobile.


What is Agent Factory?

Agent Factory is…

“a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for thedevelopment and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”



Agent Factory is…


Organised over four layers: Programming Language

Run-Time Environment

Development Environment

Software Engineering MethodologyAgent Factory Run-Time Environment

Agent Factory Development Environment

Eclipse Plugin Netbeans Module VIPER

AF-APL Compiler

Remote CommandService

Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools

Agent Factory Development Methodology

Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL)

DFAMS SDF



Agent Factory is…



Declarative Formalised through a Multi-modal logic Agent-specific Constructs



Software Engineering Methodology

Agent Factory Run-Time Environment



AF-APL Compiler


Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools



DFAMS SDF


AF-APL

AF-APL Programs define:

Actuators

Perceptors

Modules

Commitment Rules

Initial Mental State



Agent Factory is…



Run-Time Environment Distributed FIPA Compliant Agent Platforms + Infrastructure System Agents: AMS + DF






AF-APL Compiler


Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools



DFAMS SDF


The Run-Time Environment



Agent Factory is…




Development Environment AF-APL Compiler Netbeans & Eclipse Plugins VIPER – Protocol Editor





AF-APL Compiler


Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools



DFAMS SDF


VIPER – Visual Protocol Editor



Agent Factory is…





Software Engineering Methodology Based on UML & Agent UML Supports Design, Implementation,

and Deployment




AF-APL Compiler


Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools



DFAMS SDF


Development Methodology

Iterative Refinement Process

SystemBehaviour

Model

ActivityModel

InteractionModel

ProtocolModel

Agent Model

GenerateAgent

Classes

Build AgentComponents

BuildPlatformServices

ProtocolTesting

BehaviourTesting

VIPER

AF IDE

ConfigureAgent

Platforms

DeployApplication

DESIGN

IMPLEMENTATIONDefine

ApplicationOntologies

DEPLOYMENT





Agent Factory is…






Implemented in Java

J2ME and J2SE-Compliant

Deployed on PDAs / PCs

Open Source:

http://agentfactory.sourceforge.net


AF-APL Compiler


Design Library

AF-APL Interpreter

Agent Platform

System Agents

Platform Services

Monitoring Tools



DFAMS SDF


Applications

Ubiquitous Computing & M-Commerce.

Gulliver’s Genie, WAY, ACCESS, AD-ME and EasiShop

Robotics.

Social Robot Architecture, Virtual Robotic Workbench

Enterprise Search.

HOTAIR

Distributed Sensor Networks.

Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC), Clever Cat

Virtual/Mixed Reality Environments.

ECHOES, Agent Chameleons, NEXUS


Some Current Applications


The ACCESS Architecture – Generic Mobile ComputingArchitecture that supports location-aware and context-sensitive services.

Agent Platform

The ACCESS Client

Agent Platform

The ACCESS Gateway



Distributed Sensor Networks.

Clever Cat – RFID Asset Monitoring and Security System


Future Work

Agent Factory Related Research:

Extensions/Modifications to AF-APL

Ontology Support

Computer Aided Software Engineering Tools

Autonomic Computing Research:

Design of techniques that support self-configuring, self-optimizing, self-healing, and self-protecting agent-based applications.

Applications:

HOTAIR and Clever Cat are ongoing projects

Fly With Me – A Personalised in-Flight Entertainment System with Biometric feedback.

Intelligent Houses – Monitoring of the Aged and Infirm, Self-configuring houses.


AF NetBeans Plugin




Gulliver’s Genie – Handheld TourGuide

EasiShop – Bluetooth based Shopping System



Robotics.

Social Robot Architecture

Virtual Robotic Workbench

RoboCup

dr rem collier department of computer science university college dublin email: [email protected]...

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