Agents and Mediators

Note: This is an archival page documenting numerous projects that may well not be in existence any more. The links on this page were correct at the time of composition, but may have rotted.

Here are some agents that follow the KIF/KQML protocols for knowledge sharing. Many are available for interactive demonstration on the web and source code is usually available.

Content-based router

performs content-based routing of agent messages and provides deductive database services. Developed by the SHADE project. Based on Stonybrook Prolog.

Matchmaker

matches agents' interests and advertisements to provide a brokering and recruiting service. Developed by the SHADE project.

Facilitator

helps agents communicate in a distributed setting. It does services similar to the content-based router and matchmaker agents. Developed by the Stanford Logic Group.

Math Services Agent

performs simple numerical and symbolic mathematical analysis of the sort provided to users of tools such as Mathematica, Maple, and MACSYMA. Developed by the SHADE project.

Units and dimensions agent

performs conversion between units, derived completely from ontologies specifying each units system. Developed by the SHADE project.

Controls Agent

provides support for the development of control laws and software for mechanical system. It uses Simulink/Matlab(tm), a commercial package with capabilities for block diagram construction, frequency analysis, and simulation. Developed by the SHADE project.

Persona

A personal agent with a KIF interface. Developed by the Stanford Logic Group.

KIF information service

An interactive interface for getting definitions of KIF concepts. Like an on-line index into the manual. Developed by the Stanford Logic Group.

ParMan -- Parameteter manager

ParMan combines the use of agent communication protocols, constraint logic programming, and a graphical presentation interface to yield an intelligent parametric design tool supporting collaborative design. This provides one of the first complete, end-to-end applications of distributed knowledge-level communication among engineering tools, as envisioned by PACT. In addition, it represents a significant extension of parametric design to a distributed setting. ParMan is built on the CLP(R) Constraint Logic Programming language and the SHADE agent infrastructure. Developed by the Lockheed Knowledge Centered Design (KCD) project.

MAXIA (MAX Interactive Agent)

MAXIA is an interactive agent architecture utilizing the MAX representation language. MAXIA provides a simple but powerful rule-based inference engine supporting:

1. a declarative user interface management system
2. a meta-reasoning capability, enabling a simple yet complete application building environment
3. a KQML agent communications interface

MAXIA has been used to implement the SHADE systems engineer agent. Developed by the KCD project.

COINS (Common Interest Seeker)

COINS is an application that helps users to locate other information workers with similar interests. The system allows the user to automatically characterize their own free text files as knowledge-based expressions of interest and capability, which are then sent to a matchmaker. The matchmaker then identifies overlap and notifies the user of the match. Developed by the KCD project.