Current Grant Funded Projects

Integrating and Automating Testing in Multi-agent Systems Development ARC Linkage Grant 2011-2013
The goal of this project is to produce a complete methodology, including tool support, for model-based testing of multi-agent systems. This project will build on our existing work for model-based unit testing of agent systems, and debugging of multi-agent systems, to produce tools and techniques for integration testing and system-level testing in multi-agent systems. The models used will be the artifacts produced during the requirements engineering and design phases of development, mainly based on the Prometheus methodology. Research already undertaken at the Intelligent Systems Group at RMIT on model-based unit testing of agents and model-based debugging of agent interactions is pioneering work in this area. LP100100037
Participants: Lin Padgham, John Thangarajah , Tim Miller, Jimmy Sun, Gaya Jayatilleke, Ke Sun.
Industry Partner: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


Tools, Methodologies and Reasoning Support for Developing Companion-Toy Modules ARC Linkage Grant 2011-2013
This project addresses the research problem of integrating new software modules into a complex environment, in an incremental and customised manner. There are substantial advantages to distributed and incremental development of complex applications. It is also advantageous for users to be able to determine which additional functionalities they wish to purchase. Our aims are to:
  • Establish a greater understanding of incremental, distributed, modular development of complex interactive systems, using plug-in software modules.
  • Develop an understanding of interfaces that support the use of plug-in modules, without requiring the modules to be built in a way that is tightly integrated with the core system.
  • Enhance re-usability of existing software, by exploring how it can be integrated into a complex interactive system, using agent ``wrappers''.
  • Develop an appropriate methodology and identify the supporting toolset to facilitate and guide a developer in building plug-in modules for a complex interactive application.
LP110100050
Participants: Lin Padgham, John Thangarajah , Wei Liu, Wilson Wong, Lawrence Cavedon,
Industry Partner: Real Thing Entertainment Pty. Ltd.


An Extensible Agent-Based Framework for Exploring Climate Change Adaptation: ARC DP1093290 ARC Discovery Grant 2010-2012
The goal of this project is to facilitate exploration of possible climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies, using an interactive platform incorporating multiple agent-based simulation modules. The aim is to build up complex simulations by incrementally adding new agent-based models created by members of a large distributed community, interested in the application area. Each module will capture a different aspect of the situation, and could potentially be created independently by people with expertise relating only to that aspect. We are thus developing an extensible, open-source framework which allows individual modules, possibly pre-existing and implemented under different paradigms, to be integrated in a common environment.
Agent-based modelling (ABM), is particularly suited to addressing the complexity of CCA because it allows emergent phenomena to be captured at the macro-level, by modelling autonomous, decision-making entities at the micro-level, then simulating their interaction with each other and the environment. This ABM approach will be enhanced by our proposed inclusion of entities based on the Belief Desire Intention (BDI) agent architecture, which facilitates more complex reasoning agents than are commonly used in ABM modelling. These entities may include complex social organisations or groups as well as individuals. The platform we are using to integrate the modules, and provide an interface for user interaction, is Civilization IV, an existing game engine with a substantial user base. Thus there is the potential for broad uptake and contribution from many diverse sources, which will increase the impact the work is able to have. The extension of ABM to an interactive platform is an innovative idea which builds on the technology developed for games, using it in a manner similar that described as serious games.
The project is a cross-disciplinary one, involving both technical and social science challenges.
The specific aims are:
  • Identification of key concepts and their semantics, for exploring CCA questions via (interactive) agent based simulation.
  • Creation of an extensible framework for modelling and implementing CCA problems at the operational level, using a modular approach.
  • Development of an understanding on how to manage the balance between control and emergence in the simulation.
  • Establishment of a methodology and preliminary toolset for building a new application or extending an existing one.
  • Production of one or more prototypes focussing on a particular CCA question/area
 DP1093290
Participants: Lin Padgham, Fabio Zambetta, Colin Fudge, Alexis Drogoul, Sarah Hickmott, Dave Scerri,
Collaborators: Peter Hayes, Darryn McEvoy


Intention Selection in Intelligent Agent Systems ARC Discovery Grant 2010-2012
Intelligent agents are a powerful and successful approach to building systems operating in complex and dynamic environments. This project will develop mechanisms for intelligent agents to rationally manage the multiplicity of tasks that is typical of these systems. At each point in time an agent must decide what to do next. By managing the focus of attention in an intelligent manner, the agent can ensure that important and urgent tasks are done first, that interacting tasks are managed appropriately, and that goals are eventually achieved. Intelligent multi-tasking is a core feature of agent systems and the outcome of this project will provide significant gains to the current state of the art. DP1094627
Participants: Lin Padgham, Sebastian Sardina, John Thangarajah


Accounting for Sustainability: Developing an Integrated Approach for Sustainability Assessments ARC Linkage Grant 2010-2012
This is a cross-disciplinary project involving social science and computer science, which aims to develop a new approach to sustainability in our cities and organisations. Current approaches with a focus on reporting against a proliferation of indicator sets, often result in organisations losing sight of the underlying sustainability goals, and in particular the local opportunities and issues. This project will develop a new approach to defining sustainability in locally meaningful terms, while at the same time linking this to global indicators. A leading edge software system will be developed to provide the technological support to assist organisations in management of their sustainability goals. LP0990509
Participants: Paul James, Lin Padgham, James Thom, Hepu Deng, Bill Cope, Meg Holden Sarah Hickmott, Andy Scerri, Liam Magee, Dave Scerri Industry Partners: Fuji Xerox Pty Ltd., Cambridge International College, City of Melbourne, Common Ground Publishing, Augusta Systems, Microsoft




A Framework for Adaptive Extensible Personae for Interactive Toys ARC Linkage Grant 2008-2010
This project will be of benefit in that it will facilitate the development of quality toys, based on sound psychological foundations. These toys will have a long life since they can be extended over time, growing with the child. There is also potential to be used for children with psychological difficulties, and applications in health and aged-care. This project will provide opportunities for Australian business, and will also help to keep Australia at the forefront in the area of intelligent agent technology. It is an example of a project that helps create a culture of innovation in Australian industry. LP0882013
Participants: Lin Padgham, Lawrence Cavedon, Barbara Kelly, Fabio Zambetta, Bob Wesson, Carole Adam
Previous Participants: Patrick Yeo.
Industry Partner: RealThing Pty Ltd.


Complex Decision Making in Intelligent Agents ARC Linkage Grant 2008-2010
Following the work incorporating HTN planning into BDI systems, this project is concerned with in solving further problems, in particular in the areas of dynamic plan repair (or re-planning if necessary), more comprehensive planning techniques, and interactions between planning and other aspects of reasoning about goals and their achievement. These issues are extremely important for the kinds of complex autonomous decision making. For example it is certainly important for a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to be able to develop a plan to reach its intended destination. However, after some unplanned for event such as an Air Traffic Control instruction to alter course to avoid other traffic, it is critical that it can repair its plan to take account of the new situation. Failure to do this effectively could cause further conflicts or lead to dangerous outcomes. In doing this repair it must therefore take account of priorities and potential conflicts involving other goals. For example a goal to get back on course as quickly as possible may suggest one course of action, while a goal to avoid some restricted airspace may suggest something different. In addition, the situation that has arisen may require techniques borrowed from first principles planning, rather than the structured HTN style planning which we have currently used. The ability to use general-purposes reasoning and planning capabilities, integrated within the agent infrastructure, will enable complex applications to be built more rapidly, as well as being assured of being more robust. Not every detail needs to be programmed at the outset, as the system can fill the “gaps” automatically according to the circumstances. In addition, the specification of such systems would be more declarative, facilitating maintenance over time. LP0882234 Project page
Participants: Lin Padgham, Andrew Lucas, Sebastian Sardina
Industry Partner: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


Bushfire: BLOCKS NCCARF 2010
The goal of this project is to develop a modular agent based simulation platform, that allows emergency management stakeholders to explore complex multi-scalar, multi-actor, emergency management interactions under uncertain future conditions, in order to promote more effective governance arrangements. The platform is also intended to be a long term decision support tool suitable for the development of agent based simulations which address a range of extreme events, such as coastal flooding, heat stress, etc. The platform and expertise that will be developed is part of the broader work that explores the use of Agent Based Modeling and Simulation in the area of Climate Change Adaptation. Project page
Participants:Sarah Hickmott , Fabio Zambetta, Lin Padgham, Dave Scerri, Darryn McEvoy, Gaya Jayatilleke, Karyn Bosomworth


Tools for Simulation Modules: Water Sustainability School seed grant 2010
This project will look at tools and paradigms for simulation, in the context of issues around water sustainability. We will develop a set of characteristics that make one modelling paradigm more suitable than another for a particular category of problem or aspect of a domain. We will then develop a methodology, to allow modellers of a CCA domain to identify the best modelling approach for each aspect of the domain/problem. We will investigate modelling tools used within the industry, as well as agent based tools which are the specialty of the research group. The team is working with a small company, Net Balance, whose business is adaptation and risk management related to climate change. They have several clients whose concerns centre around water sustainability. Project page
Participants: Sarah Hickmott , Fabio Zambetta, Dave Scerri
Collaborators: Lin Padgham , Cecily Maller, Gaya Jayatilleke
Industry Partner: Net Balance



Past Grant Funded Projects


Acts of electronic negotiation: Overcoming communication barriers to transdisciplinary innovation in design ARC Discovery Grant 2006-2008
Improved collaboration between the diverse contributors to design in the construction industry is urgently needed to reduce waste, streamline production and improve performance. It is also a key to better and more advanced design. The quality of human to human interaction in computer mediated environments is critical to the occurrence of innovation between design disciplines. This project will create a pool of highly qualified personnel in this area in Australia, including participating designers introduced to novel empowering approaches to network communication. It will develop and apply knowledge from other disciplines to developing tools for the design community. DP0665744
Participants: Mark Burry, Lin Padgham, Mike Xie, Andrew Burrow


Planning and Learning in BDI Agents
 ARC Linkage Grant 2005-2007
This project aims to increase the power and flexibility of one of the most popular and successful kinds of agents paradigms, known as BDI (Belief, Desire, Intention). By incorporating abilities to plan and to learn into BDI agent development platforms, agent systems built using this technology can be far more robust and flexible. If the system can adapt and learn new information or develop new plans after deployment, then not everything needs to be programmed at the start. Also these techniques can relieve the developer of some effort as the system can improve itself after deployment. LP0560702
Participants: Lin Padgham, Andrew Lucas, Andy Song, Sebastian Sardina
Partner: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


Service-oriented negotiation and coordination in multi-agent systems
 ARC Discovery Grant 2006-2007
There is an increasing trend towards structuring software as a collection of autonomous entities that negotiate and coordinate. We propose to use the concept of Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA), proposed by management and political scientists, as a basis for negotiation. Expected outcomes from this work include a formalisation of BATNA, and a flexible agent negotiation and coordination framework that allows agents to use negotiation to deal with coordination breakdowns. An advantage of our proposed approach is that it avoids unrealistic assumptions, such as requiring all agents to be perfectly rational, or requiring excessive amounts of common knowledge. DP0663147
Participants: Lin Padgham, James Harland, Michael Winikoff, Bao Quoc Vo


Advanced Software Engineering Support for Intelligent Agent Systems
 ARC Linkage Grant 2004-2006

Software Agents are an important technology for developing the complex software systems that are increasingly required to meet the needs of society. A crucial obstacle to the widespread adoption of agent technology is the lack of an appropriate software engineering methodology. This project proposes to explore support for design processes addressing advanced issues in agent systems, such as goal-based requirements, debugging using design artefacts, component-based design, and reuse. We will also extend the methodology to support teamwork and open systems. We will be building on successful work we have already done in establishing a basic agent oriented software design methodology.

This work builds on work done as part of the project Simplifying the Development of Agent Oriented Systems.

 LP0453486
Participants: Lin Padgham, Michael Winikoff, Andrew Lucas (AOS), Andrew Hodgson (AOS).
Previous participants: Liz Haywood
Industry Partners: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.



Description, Composition, Discovery, and Deployment of Intelligent Agent Services
 DEST IAP Grant 2004-2006
This project is participating in Satine (Semantic Based Interoperability Infrastructure for Integrating Web Service Platforms on Peer to Peer networks), a European Union 6th framework project (IST-1-002104-STP). Descriptions of some of the web services developed can be found at our testbed site.

The World Wide Web is currently a major source of information for individuals, businesses and the public sector. The vision for future use of the WWW and the Internet, is that in addition to being a repository for static and dynamic informational pages, the Internet will also host a range of intelligent agents, offering services to both human users and to other intelligent agents. This will be an open and evolving system, where as new agents are added, other agents are able to locate them and to avail themselves of their services as appropriate. In order for this vision to be fully realised there are a wide range of technical issues which must be addressed. We will be working with international and Australian partners to explore issues in the areas of flexible and scalable distributed directory services, service description languages, and service composition and execution, while also developing and deploying agents in the area of tourism.

For more information see the DEST grant homepage and the internal project homepage (restricted).

CG040014
Participants: Lin Padgham, Ian Mathieson, Michael Winikoff, James Harland
Previous participants: Liz Haywood
Industry Partners: Tourism Victoria, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse
Other Partners: Satine (EU 6th framework project), openNet, Wei Liu (University of Western Australia)


Open agent architectures for intelligent distributed decision making
 ARC Linkage Grant 2003-2005
Sophisticated software systems are part of the essential infrastructure of our daily lives. Complex systems such as the internet, finance, or telecommunications software cannot have a centralised point of control or a single developer. The aim of this project is to develop an architecture and support infrastructure enabling intelligent agents to locate and use services in such open systems. The fundamental questions that must be addressed include issues such as how agents will find and use newly added services and how services will communicate with each other, given that they are developed independently.

For more information see the BMRC linkage grant homepage and the internal project homepage (restricted).

LP0347025
Participants: Lin Padgham, Michael Winikoff, Sandy Dance (Bureau of Meteorology), Ralph Rönnquist (Agent Oriented Software)
Previous participants: Ian Mathieson, Aloys Mbala
Industry Partners: Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre and Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


Presentation of Complex Systems
 ARC Discovery Grant 2003-2005
This project aims to enhance the understanding of multidimensional and multisensorial presentation environments. It will do this by developing a presentation system, driven by database information controlled by intelligent agent software, activating a dynamic visual and sonological environment, which is then evaluated in a variety of scenarios.

For more information see the internal project homepage (restricted).

DP0346691
Participants: Mark Burry (Architecture and Design), Greg More (Architecture and Design), Lin Padgham, Ian Mathieson,
Industry Partners: Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre and Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


High Energy Physics: GRID
 VPAC Expertise Grants 2003-2004
The analysis of HEP/EPP experiments such as BELLE and ATLAS involves complex filtering of vast amounts (potentially terabytes) of distributed and replicated data. Key problems in managing such DataGrid computations include locating appropriate datasets for the analysis, then scheduling and monitoring the progess of the distributed computations, where even the middleware support is experimental (and unreliable). This project explores the application of software agents to HEPGrid computations.

For more information see the HEPGrid Agent homepage. The internal project homepage is restricted.

(In conjunction with the Experimental Particle Physics (EPP) group at The University of Melbourne as part of the HEPGrid project (EPPNME091.2003)).

EPPNRM108.2003/121.2004
Participants: Lin Padgham, Ian Mathieson,
Previous Participants: Tom Gamble, Antony Iorio, Wei Liu, Aman Sahani.
Partners: University of Melbourne, Physics, University of Melbourne, Computer Science.


Flexible and Robust Protocol-Based Interaction between Agents in Open Systems
 ARC Linkage Grant 2002-2004
There has been much discussion of the importance of software agents for supporting a wide variety of interaction between businesses and individuals over the internet. Important applications include ecommerce and b2b applications. For the potential of software agents to be realised in open systems, issues of flexibility, robustness, and extensibility are critical. This project addresses the development of flexible and powerful mechanisms for interaction, within the context of FIPA (Foundation for Intelligent Physical Agents) standards. The project uses FIPA's Agentcities as a test bed, enabling us to build on and co-operate with a large European project starting mid 2001.

For more information see protocols homepage.

LP0218928
Participants: Lin Padgham, James Harland.
Previous Participants: Wei Liu, Kenichi Yoshimura, Aloys Mbala, Min Xu.
Industry Partner: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.


Simplifying the Development of Agent Oriented Systems
 ARC SPIRT Grant 2001-2003
Design and programming of agents is a significantly different paradigm to either object-oriented programming or procedural programming. In this project we are investigating the key concepts necessary for effective agent design and implementation. We are developing a semantics suitable for understanding by an average programmer as well as development methodologies and tools. An initial methodology suitable for use with current BDI systems has been developed, along with supporting design templates and structures. This has been used in a number of workshop courses teaching agent-oriented design. CO0106934
Participants: Lin Padgham, James Harland. Michael Winikoff, David Poutakidis, John Thangarajah
Previous Participants: Anna Edberg, Christian Andersson.
Industry Partner: Agent Oriented Software Pty. Ltd.