The Design and Implementation of a Multi-Agent Soccer Simulator as a Tool for AI Research and PDF
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The Design and Implementation of a Multi-Agent Soccer Simulator as a Tool for AI Research and Education Iwein J.J. Borm September 1, 2006 ii The Design and Implementation of a Multi-Agent Soccer Simulator as a Tool for AI Research and Education Master’s Thesis in Media & Knowledge Engineering Man-Machine Interaction Group Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science Delft University of Technology Iwein J.J. Borm September 1, 2006 Man-Machine Interaction Group Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 4 2628 CD Delft The Netherlands Members of the Supervising Committee drs. dr. L.J.M. Rothkrantz (chair) dr. ir. C.A.P.G. van der Mast ir. H.J.A.M. Geers Copyright (cid:13)c 2006 Iwein J. J. Borm 1174398 iii Abstract The Design and Implementation of a Multi-Agent Soccer Simulator as a Tool for AI Research and Education Copyright (cid:13)c 2006 by Iwein J.J. Borm (1174398) Man-Machine Interaction Group Faculty of EEMCS Delft University of Technology Members of the Supervising Committee drs. dr. L.J.M. Rothkrantz (chair) dr. ir. C.A.P.G. van der Mast ir. H.J.A.M. Geers This thesis describes a multi-agent soccer simulator based on a highly simplified soccer model, and its application in an introductory AI course. The soccer model allows agents to start on a high level and removes many uncertainties that occur in physical soccer robots. Because of these simplifi- cations, the system is suitable for researching high-level strategic behavior, such as cooperation and team work. The simulator features a three-layer model representing the physical environment, robot and behavior. This lay- ered approach makes the system extensible. Reference teams of increasing complexity are available, and help to detect flaws in strategies, as well as pose a serious challenge for users to beat. Coursework was developed, that guides students through the process of creating a team capable of defeating the reference team, in order to teach students about basic AI concepts such as multi-agent systems, ad-hoc networks, rule-based reasoning and coopera- tive agents. The coursework has been used in a first-year undergraduate AI course at Delft University of Technology, and was found to be motivating and very educative. iv Preface This master’s thesis describes the research and development I have done to graduate at the Man-Machine-Interaction group at Delft University of Technology. The goal of this thesis project is to develop a soccer simulator that can be used for AI research and as an educational tool, and to develop and use an educational assignment based on this simulator. My first encounter with agents and multi-agent systems was early spring 2004. Whether it was the seemingly endless possibilities, the interesting assignments or the way agents can make complex problems look so easy, somehow agents and multi-agent systems have been at the center of my studies ever since. It was not a big surprise that my Master’s project was also going to involve multi-agent systems. In my search for a topic, one of my biggest requirements was that if I would have finished the work, I should be able to sit down with a random person and explain to him exactly what I did without losing his attention or raising countless questions. In case I should ever lose my enthusiasm, or if I am not physically present to explain the system, hopefully this thesis will be the next best thing. v vi Acknowledgements TheworkyouhaveinfrontofyouisthefruitofmyMaster’sprojectatDelft University of Technology. First and foremost, I would like to thank Maja Pantic for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the team, to develop and hone my programming and educational skills, and to motivate me to push for the limit. Furthermore, I would like to kindly thank Reinier Zwitserloot and Rob- bert Jan Grootjans for helping me with Fleeble and Eclipse. I would like to thankmysupervisorLeonRothkrantzforhelpingmefocusonwhatisreally important, keeping me on the track, and for giving me a lot of freedom in working on the thesis project. I would like to thank my father for his help with writing this thesis. I would like to apologize to all the people I have neglected during this project. Last but not least I would like to thank all students that evaluated the soccer assignment in 2005-2006. vii viii
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