A Device to Improve Collaborative Practices of Sanitation Department Agents of a Territory: The Case of the Lamkansa District in Casablanca

The aim of this article is to strengthen and improve the collaboration between professional agents of a service that manages one of the technical processes acting on a given territory by synchronizing the spatio-temporal dimensions including all agents assembled for the task. This proposal was tested in the Lamkansa neighborhood in Casablanca, Morocco. The employed approach is based GIS resources and on systemic analysis of communication present in a territory. We were inspired by several methodological developments that carried multi-actor processes in land use planning. We focused our work on strengthening the collaboration between professionals, field agents and office agents, in the process of design and monitoring the liquid sanitation system. The device is based on geolocation and synchronous feedback of topological, geographical, and multimedia data related to the liquid sanitation network. Thanks to a geo-collaborative, participative, and motivating logic, we reduced the management costs of the network and made it faster and more efficient by equally mobilizing another type of non-specialized actors (the inhabitants). This device uses spatial and temporal dimensions to consolidate collaborative work tools through ICT and GIS technologies that thematize and exchange information collected in the field. Furthermore, this device raises great interest as it entails the concept of integration of several actors in a geo-collaborative mode while combining geomatics with communication and information sciences.

Collaboration strategy for software dynamic evolution of multi-agent system

As the ability of a single agent is limited while information and resources in multi-agent systems are distributed, cooperation is necessary for agents to accomplish a complex task. In the open and changeable environment on the Internet, it is of great significance to research a system flexible and capable in dynamic evolution that can find a collaboration method for agents which can be used in dynamic evolution process. With such a method, agents accomplish tasks for an overall target and at the same time, the collaborative relationship of agents can be adjusted with the change of environment. A method of task decomposition and collaboration of agents by improved contract net protocol is introduced. Finally, analysis on the result of the experiments is performed to verify the improved contract net protocol can greatly increase the efficiency of communication and collaboration in multi-agent system.

A Cognitive Model for Multi-Agent Collaboration

In multi-agent system, agents work together for solving complex tasks and reaching common goals. In this paper, we propose a cognitive model for multi-agent collaboration. Based on the cognitive model, an agent architecture will also be presented. This agent has BDI, awareness and policy driven mechanism concurrently. These approaches are integrated in one agent that will make multi-agent collaboration more practical in the real world.

Human-Agent团队中的知识创造过程研究

在回顾知识创造相关文献的基础上,综合知识创造和团队管理理论,提出了Human-Agent团队的知识创造过程的概念模型,并在此基础上分析了Human & Agent对知识创造过程的影响。

Fuzzy collaborative filtering with multiple agents

Automated collaborative filtering has become a popular technique for reducing information overload. We have developed a new method for recommending items using multiple agents. The agents were established by employing the fuzzy C-means clustering technique. We employ these agents collaborating each other to get recommendation for users. The results were evaluated by using MovieLens movie＇s rating data. It is shown that the algorithm is an effective metrics in collaborative filtering.

Cyber-Physical-Social System Between a Humanoid Robot and a Virtual Human Through a Shared Platform for Adaptive Agent Ecology

Two artificial agents(a humanoid robot and a virtual human) are enriched with various similar intelligence,autonomy, functionalities and interaction modalities. The agents are integrated in the form of a cyber-physical-social system(CPSS) through a shared communication platform to create a social ecology. In the ecology, the agents collaborate(assist each other) to perform a real-world task(search for a hidden object)for the benefits of humans. A robot-virtual human bilateral trust model is derived and a real-time trust measurement method is developed. The role of taking initiative in the collaboration is switched between the agents following a finite state machine model triggered by bilateral trust, which results in a mixedinitiative collaboration. A scheme is developed to evaluate the performance of the agents in the ecology through the CPSS.The results show that the robot and the virtual human perform satisfactorily in the collaboration through the CPSS. The results thus prove the effectiveness of the real-world ecology between artificial agents of heterogeneous realities through a shared platform based on trust-triggered mixed-initiatives. The results can help develop adaptive social ecology comprising intelligent agents of heterogeneous realities to assist humans in various tasks through collaboration between the agents in the form of a CPSS.

MULTI-AGENT COLLABORATIVE DESIGN SYSTEM MODEL BASED ON THE INTERNET AND EXPERIMENTS

Development of complicated products is a project of system engineering It involves extensive and complicated knowledge,design methods and auxiliary technology Various factors affect each other So,modern product development is a typical group problem with distributed and dynamic features It is apparent superiority to solve this problem with a multi agent system representing various knowledge domains Distributed artificial intelligence knowledge being used,the multi agent collaborative design system concept and model based on Internet environment are put forward The realizing method of product developing agents,interactive process among multi agents,and organization and implementing of the design project of the multi agent collaborative design system are discussed in detail Application examples are also presented.

A Task-oriented Modular and Agent-based Collaborative Design Mechanism for Distributed Product Development

The rapid expansion of enterprises makes product collaborative design （PCD） a critical issue under the distributed heterogeneous environment, but as the collaborative task of large-scale network becomes more complicated, neither unified task decomposition and allocation methodology nor Agent-based network management platform can satisfy the increasing demands. In this paper, to meet requirements of PCD for distributed product development, a collaborative design mechanism based on the thought of modularity and the Agent technology is presented. First, the top-down 4-tier process model based on task-oriented modular and Agent is constructed for PCD after analyzing the mapping relationships between requirements and functions in the collaborative design. Second, on basis of sub-task decomposition for PCD based on a mixed method, the mathematic model of task-oriented modular based on multi-objective optimization is established to maximize the module cohesion degree and minimize the module coupling degree, while considering the module executable degree as a restriction. The mathematic model is optimized and simulated by the modified PSO, and the decomposed modules are obtained. Finally, the Agent structure model for collaborative design is put forward, and the optimism matching Agents are selected by using similarity algorithm to implement different task-modules by the integrated reasoning and decision-making mechanism with the behavioral model of collaborative design Agents. With the results of experimental studies for automobile collaborative design, the feasibility and efficiency of this methodology of task-oriented modular and Agent-based collaborative design in the distributed heterogeneous environment are verified. On this basis, an integrative automobile collaborative R＆D platform is developed. This research provides an effective platform for automobile manufacturing enterprises to achieve PCD, and helps to promote product numeralization collaborative R＆D and management development.

Distributed Human Resource Redistribution System Based on Agent and Ontology

A computer system for human resource （HR） redistribution system is presented to solve the balance problem of the ＂surplus resources＂ and ＂surplus tasks＂ among a group of project units. The system architecture is designed in a compositional manner using the elements of agent technology and knowledge technology. A combination of generic agent models, ontology and knowledge provides an effective approach to address the dynamic, distributed and knowledge-intensive characters of the HR management. In the system, the broker agent acting as intermediary provides matchmaking services to the domain agents, and the individual domain agents communicate directly with each other. The HR ontology provides the semantic match of the surplus task and the surplus resource. Finally, an application example is presented to illustrate the achieved solution for a concrete scenario. This novel way offers a comprehensive HR exchange solution and is snitablc for both intra-organizational and inter-organizational HR management.

Agent-based Collaborative Design Framework Supporting Synchronization and Asynchronization on Internet

On the basis of analysis of the research issues and requirement of collaborative design, we propose the overall framework of agent based collaborative design on Internet. Then, we describe the implementation of synchronous and asynchronous collaborative design process based on standardized design activities under the overall framework. In order to realize design message passing, the DMP Protocol is proposed as well in this paper and described in detail.

基于多Agent系统的大型电网电压暂降评估

面向实际大型电网的暂降评估需要考虑覆盖全网特征的线路故障仿真,其仿真计算速度和稳定性是制约其实用化的主要因素。为此提出了一种基于多Agent系统的大型电网电压暂降评估方法。该方法根据仿真需求构造多Agent系统并制定协同交互规则。首先,由网架解析和故障设置Agent自主生成仿真任务。其次,由仿真管理和计算Agent动态执行海量仿真。最后,由数据处理和分析Agent异步存储仿真数据并生成评估结果。目前该方法已应用在某省级电网电压暂降评估工作中,取得了较好效果。实例证明所提方法加速比高,运行稳定,可为大型电网电压暂降评估实用化提供技术支撑。

Collaborative visual SLAM for multiple agents:A brief survey

This article presents a brief survey to visual simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) systems applied to multiple independently moving agents, such as a team of ground or aerial vehicles, a group of users holding augmented or virtual reality devices. Such visual SLAM system, name as collaborative visual SLAM, is different from a typical visual SLAM deployed on a single agent in that information is exchanged or shared among different agents to achieve better robustness, efficiency, and accuracy. We review the representative works on this topic proposed in the past ten years and describe the key components involved in designing such a system including collaborative pose estimation and mapping tasks, as well as the emerging topic of decentralized architecture. We believe this brief survey could be helpful to someone who are working on this topic or developing multi-agent applications, particularly micro-aerial vehicle swarm or collaborative augmented/virtual reality.

An Agent-Based Multimedia Intelligent Platform for Collaborative Design

Collaborative design can create added value in the design and production process by bringing the benefit of team work and cooperation in a concurrent and coordinated manner. However, distributed design knowledge and product data make the design process cumbersome. To facilitate collaborative design, an agent-based intelligent CAD platform is implemented. Intelligent agents are applied to the collaborative design. Adopting the JADE platform as framework, an intelligent collaborative design software (Co-Cad platform for short) is designed. In this platform, every man, design software, management software, equipment and resource is regarded as a single agent, the legacy design can be abstracted to be interaction between agents. Multimedia technology is integrated into Co-Cad platform, communication and identity authentication among collaborative designers from different areas are more convenient. Finally, an instance of collaborative design using Co-Cad platform is presented.

Multi-Agent System for Real Time Planning Using Collaborative Agents

Autonomous agents are an important area of research in the sense that they are proactive, and include: goal-directed and communication capabilities. Furthermore each goals of the agent are constantly changing in a dynamic environment. Part of the challenge is to automate the process corresponding to each agent in order that they find their own objectives. Agents do not have to work individually, but can work with others and develop a coordinated group of actions. These agents are highly appreciated, when real time problems are involved, meaning that an agent must be able to react within a specific time interval, considering external events. Our work focuses on the design of a multi-agent architecture consisting of autonomous agents capable of acting through a goal-directed with: a) constraints, b) real-time, and c) with incomplete knowledge of the environment. This paper shows a model of collaborative agents architecture that share a common knowledge source, allowing knowledge of the environment;where we analyze it and its changes, choosing the most promising way for achieving the goals of the agent, in order to keep the whole system working, even if a fault occurs.

Empathic Responses of Behavioral-Synchronization in Human-Agent Interaction

Artificial entities,such as virtual agents,have become more pervasive.Their long-term presence among humans requires the virtual agent’s ability to express appropriate emotions to elicit the necessary empathy from the users.Affective empathy involves behavioral mimicry,a synchronized co-movement between dyadic pairs.However,the characteristics of such synchrony between humans and virtual agents remain unclear in empathic interactions.Our study evaluates the participant’s behavioral synchronization when a virtual agent exhibits an emotional expression congruent with the emotional context through facial expressions,behavioral gestures,and voice.Participants viewed an emotion-eliciting video stimulus(negative or positive)with a virtual agent.The participants then conversed with the virtual agent about the video,such as how the participant felt about the content.The virtual agent expressed emotions congruent with the video or neutral emotion during the dialog.The participants’facial expressions,such as the facial expressive intensity and facial muscle movement,were measured during the dialog using a camera.The results showed the participants’significant behavioral synchronization(i.e.,cosine similarity≥.05)in both the negative and positive emotion conditions,evident in the participant’s facial mimicry with the virtual agent.Additionally,the participants’facial expressions,both movement and intensity,were significantly stronger in the emotional virtual agent than in the neutral virtual agent.In particular,we found that the facial muscle intensity of AU45(Blink)is an effective index to assess the participant’s synchronization that differs by the individual’s empathic capability(low,mid,high).Based on the results,we suggest an appraisal criterion to provide empirical conditions to validate empathic interaction based on the facial expression measures.

Implementation of Tuberculosis and Human Immune-Deficiency Virus Programs Collaborative Services in Public-Private Mix Direct Observed Therapy Short Course Facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Cross Sectional Facility Based Mixed Method

Background: Ethiopia is one of the countries with the highest Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB) infection rates in the world. To improve TB/HIV Programs outcomes through Public Private Partnership Mix (PPM) approach was in place since 2006. But the status of its implementation has never been assessed. Methods: In this cross sectional study we employed mixed methods;we interviewed 272 tuberculosis patients, reviewed their records, and facilitated six in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions. The survey was conducted from January through March 2014 in Addis Ababa. Result: Among the interviewees 51.5% were males and the mean age was (32.7 ± SD 12.4) years. PPM facilities were offering HIV counseling for all TB patients;whereas 87.5% of TB patients have received HIV testing services. The TB/HIV co-infection rate was 45.4%. And only 72.2% TB/HIV patients were enrolled into chronic disease care services, 64.8% were put on Cotrimoxazol Preventive Therapy (CPT) and 50% were put on standard highly active anti-retro viral therapy (HAART) services. All PPM facilities don’t have IPT (Isoniazid Prophylaxis Therapy). The TB/HIV collaborative services strongly linked with the public health sector which was documented by developing inclusive work plan which create access to supplies and conducting joint supportive supervisions. However, the majorities of PPM facilities don’t have Multi-Disciplinary Team and lacks some essential supplies. The predictor for uptake of CPT were: being females TB patients was 86% lower than their counter part males (AOR = 0.14;95% CI = 0.04 - 0.92 P = 0.002), patients who has attended their TB/HIV care at private for the profit facilities were 84% lower than those attend in private not for profit facilities (AOR = 0.16;95% CI = 0.49 - 0.55, P = 0.003). Conclusions: The TB/HIV collaborative services at program level are stronger but only half of patients didn’t get the comprehensive TB/HIV collaborative services to achieve recommended quality of care. Strengthening the services and ensuring the availability of essential supplies was highly recommended.

Intelligent Interfaces: Pedagogical Agents and Virtual Humans

Little by little, we are entering the new era, intelligent interfaces are absorbing us more and more every day, and artificial intelligence makes its presence in a stealthy way. Virtual humans that represent an evolution of autonomous virtual agents;they are computer programs and in the future capable of carrying out different activities in certain environments. They will give the illusion of being human;they will have a body, and they will be immersed in an environment. They will have a set of senses that will allow them: 1) Sensations and therefore associated expressions;2) Communication;3) Learning;4) Remembering events, among others. By integrating the above, they will have a personality and autonomy, so they will be able to plan with respect to objectives;allowing them to decide and take actions with their body, in other words, they will count on awareness. The applications will be focused on environments that they will inhabit, or as interfaces that will interact with other systems. The application domains will be multiple;one of them being education. This article shows the design of OANNA like an avatar with the role of pedagogical agent. It was modeled as an affective-cognitive structure related to the teaching-learning process linked to a pedagogical agent that represents the interface of an artilect. OANNA, has the necessary animations for intervention within the teaching-learning process.

Empowering digital twins with eXtended reality collaborations

Background The advancements of Artificial Intelligence,Big Data Analytics,and the Internet of Things paved the path to the emergence and use of Digital Twins(DTs)as technologies to“twin”the life of a physical entity in different fields,ranging from industry to healthcare.At the same time,the advent of eXtended Reality(XR)in industrial and consumer electronics has provided novel paradigms that may be put to good use to visualize and interact with DTs.XR technologies can support human-to-human interactions for training and remote assistance and could transform DTs into collaborative intelligence tools.Methods We here present the Human Collaborative Intelligence empowered Digital Twin framework(HCLINT-DT)integrating human annotations(e.g.,textual and vocal)to allow the creation of an all-in-one-place resource to preserve such knowledge.This framework could be adopted in many fields,supporting users to learn how to carry out an unknown process or explore others’past experiences.Results The assessment of such a framework has involved implementing a DT supporting human annotations,reflected in both the physical world(Augmented Reality)and the virtual one(Virtual Reality).Con-clusions The outcomes of the interface design assessment confirm the interest in developing HCLINT-DT-based applications.Finally,we evaluated how the proposed framework could be translated into a manufacturing context.

Human Centered Design in Multi-agent Virtual Environment

The efficient and reliable human centered design of products and processes is a major goal in manufacturing industries for numerous human factors must be taken into account during the entire life cycle of products. A multi-agents intelligent design system is presented for manufacturing process simulation and products＇ ergonomic analysis. In virtual design environment, the virtual human with high-level intelligence performs tasks＇ operation autonomously and shows optimum posture configuration with ergonomic assessment results in real time. The functions are realized by intelligent agents architecture based on a modem approach derived from fuzzy multi-objects decision-making theory. A case study is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the suggested methodology.