Month: February 2017

Multi-Agent Foraging: state-of-the-art and research challenges

Background

The foraging task is one of the canonical testbeds for cooperative robotics, in which a collection of robots has to search and transport objects to specific storage point(s). In this paper, we investigate the Multi-Agent Foraging (MAF) problem from several perspectives that we analyze in depth.

Results

First, we define the Foraging Problem according to literature definitions. Then we analyze previously proposed taxonomies, and propose a new foraging taxonomy characterized by four principal axes: Environment, Collective, Strategy and Simulation, summarize related foraging works and classify them through our new foraging taxonomy. Then, we discuss the real implementation of MAF and present a comparison between some related foraging works considering important features that show extensibility, reliability and scalability of MAF systems

Conclusions

Finally we present and discuss recent trends in this field, emphasizing the various challenges that could enhance the existing MAF solutions and make them realistic.

 

Multi-Agent Foraging: state-of-the-art and research challenges
Ouarda Zedadra, Nicolas Jouandeau, Hamid Seridi and Giancarlo Fortino
Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling 2017 5:3
DOI: 10.1186/s40294-016-0041-8

Source: casmodeling.springeropen.com

iGod: A science fiction novel by Willemijn Dicke – inspired and introduced by Dirk Helbing

‘Unless you have a brilliant hidden plan, I think you really screwed it up this time!’

It was unusual for Lex to blame iGod without any signs of holding back.

‘I am afraid I have not taken into account all possible linkages and feedbacks when I tried to optimize the financial system’; she answered in her dark brown raspy voice that maintained its usual calm and confidence. Unlike most other encounters, there was no trace of irony in her voice. ‘But it can be fixed. In fact, I have already started rescue operations – as you may have noticed. Soon, it is all under control again.’

iGod immediately projected a hologram. All of a sudden Lex’ small apartment was filled with the mass demonstration that had taken place earlier that day in Washington DC. Outraged people did no longer trust the financial system with the virtual money streams. They were holding banners demanding to get their old BitCoins back, shouting and throwing fireballs towards him. Lex’ instinctively moved aside, but the fireballs dissolved just before their images would reach him. The hologram of the furious crowd faded and next, iGod projected a video of the president of the United States delivering a speech before the United Nations on Lex’ wall on the left.

 

Source: futurict.blogspot.mx

Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of blockchain technology

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the area of blockchain technology with a particular focus on applications in the fields of IoT and marketplaces for digital currencies.
The ideal candidate shall pursue exciting research & development in systems, blockchain, decentralized networks and IoT and some of the following areas like cryptocurrencies, financial markets, the sharing economy and digital marketplaces. The work will be performed within the European project “FuturICT 2.0“, which explores the future of digital societies and markets over the coming three years. During this period, we will build a pilot application and aim at integrating it with the nervousnet.

Source: m.refline.ch