A Distributed Planning Approach Using Multiagent Goal Transformations

A multiagent goal transformation is defined as a directed alteration of goals by the agents in a multiagent system in order to adjust for lack of resources and/or lack of capabilities. Multiagent goal transformation can be used as a uniform coordination mechanism. We describe preliminary research that implements a distributed planning approach incorporating several co-operative planning agents and that uses a multiagent goal transformation as a coordination mechanism. Each agent in the system represents a domain with capabilities differing from the domains represented by the other agents. The distributed coordination mechanism allows distribution of tasks among agents and concatenation of resultant sub-plans from agents without a central coordination process. Examples are given to illustrate how the system works in the logistics transportation domain.