Conflict-based search for optimal multi-agent path finding

Guni Sharon, Roni Stern, Ariel Felner, Nathan Sturtevant

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the multi agent path finding problem (MAPF) paths should be found for several agents, each with a different start and goal position such that agents do not collide. Previous optimal solvers applied global A*-based searches. We present a new search algorithm called Conflict Based Search (CBS). CBS is a two-level algorithm. At the high level, a search is performed on a tree based on conflicts between agents. At the low level, a search is performed only for a single agent at a time. In many cases this reformulation enables CBS to examine fewer states than A* while still maintaining optimality. We analyze CBS and show its benefits and drawbacks. Experimental results on various problems shows a speedup of up to a full order of magnitude over previous approaches.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAAAI-12 / IAAI-12 - Proceedings of the 26th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and the 24th Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence Conference
Pages563-569
Number of pages7
StatePublished - 7 Nov 2012
Event26th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and the 24th Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence Conference, AAAI-12 / IAAI-12 - Toronto, ON, Canada
Duration: 22 Jul 201226 Jul 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the National Conference on Artificial Intelligence
Volume1

Conference

Conference26th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence and the 24th Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence Conference, AAAI-12 / IAAI-12
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto, ON
Period22/07/1226/07/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Artificial Intelligence

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