Abstract: A Reactive Planner for a Model-based Executive

Brian C. Williams and P. Pandurang Nayak
Proceedings of IJCAI-97.

A new generation of reactive, model-based executives are emerging that make extensive use of component-based declarative models to analyze anomalous situations and generate novel control sequences. Burton, a generative, model-based planner offers a core element that bridges the gap between current and target states within the reactive loop. Burton is a sound, complete, reactive planner that generates a single control action of a valid plan in average case constant time, and compensates for anomalies at every step. Burton will not generate irreversible, potentially damaging sequences, except to effect repairs. We present model compilation, causal analysis, and online policy construction methods that are key to Burton's performance. A new generation of reactive, model-based executives are emerging that make extensive use of component-based declarative models to analyze anomalous situations and generate novel control sequences. Burton, a generative, model-based planner offers a core element that bridges the gap between current and target states within the reactive loop. Burton is a sound, complete, reactive planner that generates a single control action of a valid plan in average case constant time, and compensates for anomalies at every step. Burton will not generate irreversible, potentially damaging sequences, except to effect repairs. We present model compilation, causal analysis, and online policy construction methods that are key to Burton's performance.

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