Collaborative neuro-BDI agents in container terminals

Abstract

Berth scheduling and monitoring of the vessel operations are of paramount importance in order to assure faster turnaround time and high productivity of any container terminal. The need for an intelligent system that dynamically adapts to the changing environment is apparent, as there are a limited number of berths and resources available in container terminals for delivering services to vessels. We discuss how BDI (Beliefs, Desires and Intentions) agents can be supported with Neural Network and fuzzy logic in a collaborative environment of a multi agents system for the scheduling and monitoring of vessel berths in container ports. Straightforward plans are handled by the generic BDI architecture. Complex planning which requires the learning and adaptability behavior is modeled with neural networks. Beliefs with fuzzy scenarios are modeled with fuzzy logic enabling agents to make rational decisions in the environment of uncertainty. Agents can autonomously adapt to the changing environment in assigning berths for vessels.