Planning with Smart Objects

Abstract

This paper presents a novel method of employing "smart objects" for problem solving in virtual environments. Smart objects were primarily used for behavioral animation in the past. The paper demonstrates how to use them for AI and planning purposes as well. We formally define which operations can be performed on a smart object in terms of their requirements and their effects. A planner uses this information to determine the correct sequence of actions needed to achieve a goal. This approach enables intelligent agents to solve problems requiring a collaboration of several agents and complex interactions with objects.