Design agents that learn

Abstract

This research originates in the work started several years ago at Worcester Polytechnic Institute dedicated to the investigation, modelling and evaluation of multiagent based design. The main thrust behind our approach is the idea of finding elementary patterns of agent problem-solving and interaction in design tasks. To achieve this goal we introduced and defined the concept of Single Function Agents, (SiFAs) (Dunskus, 1995; SiFA, 1995). SiFAs are agents specialized to perform one single generic function during the design process. Some typical functions would be selection, evaluation, and critique. These types of agents can be instantiated for different, particular design domains.