Multi-Agent System Design

Engineering systems with multiple independentdecision makers are becoming increasingly prevalentand present many challenging coordination problems. This work investigates two such systems in aerospaceengineering: air traffic flow control and autonomousaerial vehicle teams. The air traffic flow controlproblem is investigated from the point of view of theairlines, which bear the often large costs of flightdelays and reroutes made to ensure safe operation inadverse weather conditions. By allowing airlines tobe directly involved in traffic flow decision makingthrough resource markets, overall system performancecan be improved while safety is ensured by thecentral authority. Airlines decision making ismodeled as cooperative, competitive and strategic,and efficient, equitable mechanisms are designed foreach situation. The autonomous aerial vehicle teamproblem is investigated through the development ofthe Stanford Testbed of Autonomous Rotorcraft forMulti-Agent Control (STARMAC). This world-leadingtestbed of quadrotor helicopters is used todemonstrate many novel coordination algorithms,including multi-vehicle autonomous conflict resolution.... Mehr