Flexible coordination of multiagent team behavior using HTN planning

Abstract

The domain of robotic soccer is known as a highly dynamic and non-deterministic environment for multiagent research. We introduce an approach using Hierarchical Task Network planning in each of the agents for high-level coordination and description of team strategies. Our approach facilitates the maintenance of expert knowledge specified as team strategies separated from the agent implementation. By combining high level plans with reactive basic operators, agents can pursue a grand strategy while staying reactive to changes in the environment. Our results show that the use of a planner in a multiagent system is both possible and useful despite the constraints in dynamic environments. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.