Executive Description:

WPA is a scientific research project that aims at developing a novel function approximation algorithm inspired on wolf-pack tactics. The algorithm is intelligent, that is, it is able to learn by its own functioning. Because of its two-layeredness, including symbolic and distributed processing layers, it is also able to self-control (i) sub-task distributions among agents (i.e. wolfs of the pack) as well as (ii) agreement on egoistic and altruistic behaviors. Wolf-pack algorithms devised in this project are thought to present an interesting trade-off between agents intelligence and communication abilities, both, highly expensive in a real-world approximation tool.

 Objectives:

1. Which features from wolf-packs are useful for search algorithms;

2. What are appropriate application domains for WPA;

3. What are the single and mutual importance of each parameter within WPA;

4. How WPA can be customized for real-world problems;

5. Which new features can be added onto WPA to increase its functionality.

 Key-words:  Wolf-Pack approximation, Function Approximation algorithms, Computational Intelligence.

 Funding: (To be submitted)

 Period: May/2007 until December/2010.

 Laboratory:

1. CIRG - Escola Politécnica de Pernambuco - Universidade de Pernambuco.

 Preliminary thoughts:

1. Function approximation problems can be hard to be performed, hence they can be resource consuming;

2. Certain approximation problems can be of high dimensionality;

3. Most approximation problems can be driven their an inherent structure;

4. Nature has evolved many social systems that are able to tackle the above mentioned difficulties.

 Expected results:

1. Inteligent and self-controlled approach to function approximation problems;

2. Function approximation tool to operate in structured and high-dimensional environments;

3. Cheap and fast computations;

4. Easily customizable interface;

5. Expandable core across many application domains.

 Team:

1. Prof. Fernando Buarque - Project co-leader (UPE/POLI - DSC)

2. Prof. Luis Carlos - Project co-leader (UPE/POLI - DSC)

3. Post-graduate Students (UPE):

         Marcelo Pita

 Results:

1. Technical reports at UPE/POLI - DSC;

2. White-Paper on WPA;

Other links relating to WPA Project:

              Photo-Gallery of WPA