Using collective intentionality to model fleets of autonomous underwater vehicles

The concept of collective intentionality has become increasingly prevalent in recent literature on multi-agent systems. Benefits of modeling multi-agent systems as collectively intentional include a more flexible organizational structure, more effective coordination of cooperative activity, and more efficient knowledge sharing through communication. Researchers at the University of Idaho have worked with multi-agent systems in the form of fleets of autonomous underwater vehicles, and recent research has focused on designing a framework in which fleets of autonomous underwater vehicles exhibit collective intentionality as they pursue mission goals. This paper explains this framework and the benefits associated with it.