Dr Rem Collier Department of Computer Science University College Dublin Agent Factory A 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 as agents, which interact with one another, engendering cooperation, collaboration, and coordination, thus enabling them to solve problems that are beyond their individual 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.

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Run-Time Environment  Development Environment  Software Engineering Methodology Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Declarative  Formalised through a Multi-modal logic  Agent-specific Constructs  Run-Time Environment  Development Environment  Software Engineering Methodology Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. AF-APL  AF-APL Programs define:  Actuators  Perceptors  Modules  Commitment Rules  Initial Mental State

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Run-Time Environment  Distributed  FIPA Compliant  Agent Platforms + Infrastructure  System Agents: AMS + DF  Development Environment  Software Engineering Methodology Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. The Run-Time Environment

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Run-Time Environment  Development Environment  AF-APL Compiler  Netbeans & Eclipse Plugins  VIPER – Protocol Editor  Software Engineering Methodology Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. VIPER – Visual Protocol Editor

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Run-Time Environment  Development Environment  Software Engineering Methodology  Based on UML & Agent UML  Supports Design, Implementation, and Deployment Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Development Methodology

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Agent Factory Run-Time Environment Agent Factory Development Environment What is Agent Factory?  Agent Factory is… “a cohesive framework that delivers structured support for the development and deployment of agent-oriented applications.”  Organised over four layers:  Programming Language  Run-Time Environment  Development Environment  Software Engineering Methodology  Implemented in Java  J2ME and J2SE-Compliant  Deployed on PDAs / PCs  Open Source:  Eclipse PluginNetbeans ModuleVIPER AF-APL Compiler Remote Command Service Design Library AF-APL Interpreter Agent Platform System Agents Platform Services Monitoring Tools Agent Factory Development Methodology Agent Factory Agent Programming Language (AF-APL) DFAMSSDF

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. 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

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Some Current Applications  Ubiquitous Computing & M-Commerce.  The ACCESS Architecture – Generic Mobile Computing Architecture that supports location-aware and context- sensitive services. Agent Platform The ACCESS Client Agent Platform The ACCESS Gateway

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Some Current Applications  Distributed Sensor Networks.  Clever Cat – RFID Asset Monitoring and Security System

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. 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.

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. AF NetBeans Plugin

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Some Current Applications  Ubiquitous Computing & M-Commerce.  Gulliver’s Genie – Handheld Tour Guide  EasiShop – Bluetooth based Shopping System

2003 © ChangingWorlds Ltd. Some Current Applications  Robotics.  Social Robot Architecture  Virtual Robotic Workbench  RoboCup