On the Synergy of Simulation and Agents: An Innovation Paradigm Perspective

Tuncer ÖREN and Levent YILMAZ

This paper appears in: The International Journal of INTELLIGENT CONTROL AND SYSTEMS
Publication Date: March 2009
Volume: 14, Number: 1
On page(s): 4- 19

Abstract

The advances of modeling and simulation as well as agent systems have been phenomenal. The premise of the agent paradigm, its related theory and methodologies together with advances in multilevel modeling of complex systems are opening new frontiers for advancing the studies of the physical, natural, social, military, and information sciences and engineering. This survey paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of the synergy of modeling and simulation and agent systems and their applications to various fields. The analysis framework explores the evolution of the application and technology of agent-directed simulation. We present a unified and comprehensive perspective regarding the broad range for the synergy of simulation and agents. In drawing the trace of the evolution of agents and simulation to a close, we offer comments on three aspects. The first involves the breadth and extent of agent simulation applications; the second relates to the role of agent simulation in computational experimentation and exploratory analysis; and the third pertains to the future of the use of agents in simulation, as well as simulation for agents.

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