Using scouts to predict swarm success rate
by Rebguns, Antons, M.S., UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING, 2008, 85 pages; 1465164

Abstract:

The scenario addressed in this thesis is that of a swarm of agents (simulated robots) that needs to travel from an initial location to a goal location, while avoiding obstacles. Before deploying the entire swarm, it would be advantageous to have a certain level of confidence that a desired percentage of the swarm will be likely to succeed in getting to the goal. The approach taken in this thesis is to use a small group of expendable robot "scouts'' to predict the success probability for the swarm. Two approaches to solving this problem are presented and compared -- the standard Bernoulli trials formula, and a new Bayesian formula. Extensive experimental results are summarized that measure and compare the mean-squared error of the predictions with respect to ground truth, under a wide variety of circumstances. Experimental conclusions include the utility of a uniform prior for the Bayesian formula in knowledge-lean situations, and the accuracy and robustness to the changes in the environment of the Bayesian approach. The thesis also reports an intriguing result, namely, that both formulas usually predict better in the presence of inter-agent forces than when their independence assumptions hold.

 
AdviserDiana F. Spears
SchoolUNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
SourceMAI/ 47-06, p. , Nov 2009
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsStatistics; Computer science
Publication Number1465164
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1465164
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.