A Multi-Agent System for Visualization Simulated User Behaviour B. de Vries, J. Dijkstra

Agenda VR-DIS research programme: B. de Vries AI for visualization of human behavior: J. Dijkstra

VR Technology in (Architectural) Design Traditional process and use Envisioned process and use

Traditional process: Sketch Paper & Pencil Reflection on Thoughts Vague

Traditional process: Design 2D/3D Modeling Material use Consultancy: Installation, Construction, etc.

Traditional process: Presentation Convey design Impression of building

Envisioned process: 3D Modeling Direct manipulation Implicit relations Sculpturing

Envisioned process: Scene Painting Realistic images No construction material

Envisioned process: Evaluation Indoor climate Lighting Structural behavior Acoustics User behavior

Example: Urban plan

Towards a Multi-Agent System for Visualizing Simulated User Behavior

Introduction of the Model

Architects and urban planners are often faced with the problem to assess how their design or planning decisions will affect the behavior of individuals. One way of addressing this problem is the use of models simulating the navigation of users in buildings and urban environments. A Multi-Agent System based on Cellular Automata

Essentials of Cellular Automata

Cellular automata are discrete dynamical systems whose behavior is completely specified in terms of a local relation ê Cellular automata are discrete dynamical systems whose behavior is completely specified in terms of a local relation Cell Cellular automata are characterized by the following features: Grid State Time

Cellular Automata Model of Traffic Flow

Agent Characteristics

Agent Definitions Agents are computational systems that inhibit some complex dynamic environment, sense and act autonomously in this environment, and by doing so realize a set of goals or tasks for which they are designed (Maes). An autonomous agent is a system situated within and part of an environment that senses that environment and acts on it, over time, in pursuit of its own agenda (Franklin & Graesser).

Agent Properties Autonomy - agents have some control over their actions and internal state Social ability - agents interact with other agents Reactivity - agents perceive their environment and respond to changes in it Pro-activeness - agents exhibit goal-directed behavior by acting on their own initiative ? Mentalistic capabilities - knowledge, belief, intention, emotion

Agent Architecture State Production System Action Perception Sensors Effectors

Multi Agent Simulation Models

simulating Offers the promise of simulating autonomous agents and the interaction between them. behaviors evolve dynamically during the simulation Evolution capabilities: evolution of the agent’s environment evolution of the agent’s behavior during the simulation anticipated behavior unplanned behavior

Towards the Framework

Cellular Automata Artificial Intelligence Distributed Artificial Intelligence Multi Agent Simulation Models

Motivation Develop a system how people move in a particular environment. People are represented by agents. The cellular automata model is used to simulate their behavior across the network. A simulation system would allow the designer to assess how its design decisions influence user movement and hence performance indicators.

Network Model The network is the three-dimensional cellular automata model representation of a state at a certain time.

different neighborhoods

transition of a state of a cell

Agent Model

User Agent Define an user-agent as: U =, where: R is finite set of role identifiers; {actor, subject} S scenario, defined by: S =, where: B represents the behavior of user-agent i I represents the intentions of a user-agent i A represents the activity agenda user user-agent i F represents the knowledge of information about the environment, called Facets T represents the time-budget each user-agent possesses

The Integration of Cellular Automata and Multi Agent Technology an actor-based view Initially, we will realize different graphic representations of our simulation : a network-based view a main node-based view

network grid and decision points

main node-based view

actor-based view / network-based view

Simulation Experiment Design of a simulation experiment of pedestrian movement. Considering a T-junction walkway where pedestrians will be randomly created at one of the entrances. Some impressions...

Demo

Conclusions

 Complex behavior can be simulated by using the concept of cellular automata in the context of multi-agent technology.  The development of multi-agent models offers the promise of simulating autonomous individuals.  A multi-agent model can be used for visualizing simulated user behavior to support the assignment of design performance.  The proposed concept potentially has a lot to offer in architecture and urban planning when visual and active environments may impact user behavior and decision-making processes.