Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Instituto de Informática – Departamento de Informática Teórica

CMP555 e INF05016
Desenvolvimento de Software Autônomo

Coursework – Final Project

Developing a Multi-Agent System using an

Agent Programming Language

Lecturer: Dr. Rafael H. Bordini

R.Bordini@inf.ufrgs.br
Office 236, Extension 7750

Deadline: 18th June 2010

1 Description
This coursework consists in describing the requirements of a (simple) computational system for any area
of application that is appropriate for agent-oriented programming, designing it as a multi-agent system,
and implementing it based on BDI agents and using an agent-oriented programming language.
If the application you choose requires developing an appropriate environment where the BDI agents
will be situated, that will also be taken into consideration for marking. Programming a model of the
environment is not necessary in the case, e.g., an existing simulation or game server is used where the
“environment” be already available. In the latter case, the effort in connecting Jason to the existing
environment will also be taken into account for marking. Before you start any work on this development,
you must consult with the lecturer to check if the chosen application is suitable for this coursework.
The design of the system can be described informally. However, if you use the Prometheus method-
ology [1], this may help make your design more clear and appropriate. If you choose to use Prometheus,
it may be worth having a look at PDT: http://www.cs.rmit.edu.au/agents/pdt/.
The implementation must be done using agent-oriented programming languages or tools, designed
specifically for BDI agents. Although it is natural to expect that Jason [2] will be used, given that this will
have been seen in the lectures, you should feel free to use other approaches, such as [3,4,5].

2 Submission of the Assignment

You are expected to deliver a short report (typically no longer than 15 pages) with the requirements,
design, and comments on the implementation (including a discussion of any difficulties encountered
with this programming paradigm), as well as all source code files (the AgentSpeak code, and any Java
code used in the system too). Note that your report must be handed in as a LATEXor a PDF file — MS
Word documents will not be accepted. Submission will be via Moodle. Deadline for submission of the
report and code is 18th of June at 23:55h. NB: You will be expected to give a demo of your project (on
a date to be assigned via moodle) during a lecture before the deadline for handing in the written part of
the project.

3 Learning Outcomes
• Understanding of the paradigm of agent-oriented programming.

• Issues in constructing intelligent agents.

• Issues in the design of societies of (interacting) agents.

• Familiarity with the Jason interpreter and possibly the Prometheus Methodology.

4 Marking Criteria
• Clarity and adequacy of the systems design and its presentation

• Originality and relevance of the chosen application

• Quality of written report (clear descriptions, comments, references, etc.)

• Quality of produced code (understanding of AgentSpeak, code documentation, use of Jason fea-
tures, etc.)

5 References
[1] L. Padgham and M. Winikoff. Developing Intelligent Agent Systems: A Practical Guide. J.Wiley &
Sons Ltd., 2004.

[2] R. Bordini, J. Hübner, M. Wooldridge. Programming Multi-Agent Systems in AgentSpeak Using

Jason. Wiley Series in Agent Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 2007.

[3] M. Dastani, et al. 3APL – An Abstract Agent Programming Language. http://www.cs.uu.

nl/3apl/.

[4] A. Pokahr, L. Braubach, et al. JADEX – BDI Agent System http://vsis-www.informatik.

uni-hamburg.de/projects/jadex/.

[5] Agent Oriented Software Group. JACK – Intelligent Agents. http://www.agent-software.

com/.