Application of Multi-agent Technology in Decision-making System for Vessel Automatic Anti-collision

By defining each vessel as an Agent, a decisionmaking system for automatic anti-collision is presented based on the theory and technology of multi-agent system. The hybrid architecture of Agent and its descriptions of Backus-Naur Form based on the Class Framework of Visual C++ are illustrated. The decision-making mechanism of the system is analyzed and some points for future research are also discussed. The problem- solving method using multi-agent organization can reduce the difficulty of solving the problem of multi-vessel collision avoidance. Rational decisions of global benefits for vessel collision avoidance can be reached by communication, cooperation and negotiation among vessels. The method was a new attempt to address the problem of multi-vessel collision avoidance, as well as to exploit a new application field for the theory of multi-agent system.