Optimal design in collaborative design network

Abstract

We consider a multiagent system whose task is to aid component-centered design by collaborative designers in a supply chain. In the earlier work, collaborative design networks are proposed as a decision-theoretic framework for such a system. In this work, we analyzes how choice of agent interface affects the computational complexity of collaborative design. Based on the analysis, we proposes a set of algorithms that allow agents to produce an overall optimal design by autonomous local evaluation of local designs. We show that these algorithms reduce the complexity exponentially from that of an exhaustive centralized design.