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Selecting a response.
The appropriate response for an event may be different in a multiagent context than in a situation involving a single agent. For example, when encountering a current, an agent operating by itself would likely maneuver out of the current and update its internal model of the environment so it would not stray into the current in future; in a multiagent situation, however, it should also consider broadcasting information about the current to its co-workers so that they can avoid it.

In a multiagent situation, an agent may also be able to ask other agents to take actions on its behalf to respond to an event. For example, an AUV that has landed on a soft bottom and has subsequently become stuck may ask another agent to try to pull it off.

Even when an agent's response does not directly involve others, it may still need to coordinate with them if the response impacts their current or future intentions. For example, if the only AUV with a light begins to lose power, it may decide to return to the support vessel; it should tell its peers, however, as they may need to use the light later in the group's mission.

In addition to needing a model of the domain and of others' actions and beliefs, the agent must be able to project the likely effects of its response on the environment and the others.

rmt@cdps.umcs.maine.edu
Wed May 4 11:21:48 EDT 1994