Analyzing the dynamics of stigmergetic interactions through pheromone games

The concept of stigmergy provides a simple framework for interaction and coordination in multi-agent systems. However, determining the global system behavior that will arise from local stigmergetic interactions is a complex problem. In this paper we analyze the dynamics of stigmergetic interactions using Game Theory. We show that a system where agents coordinate by sharing local pheromone information can be approximated by a limiting ”pheromone” game in which different pheromone vectors represent player strategies. The long term behavior of the whole system can then be determined by analyzing the convergence properties of the pheromone update in this limiting game. We also extend this model to cases where multiple colonies of agents concurrently optimize different objectives. In this case a limiting ”colony” game can be linked to colony level interactions to characterize the global system behavior.

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: TCS
• Authors: Peter Vrancx, Katja Verbeeck, Ann Nowé
• Keywords: Game, Pheromone, Stigmergetic Interactions, TCS 2010, Theoretical Computer Science