Modified Bat Algorithm: A Newly Proposed Approach for Solving Complex and Real-World Problems

TL;DR

This paper introduces the Modified Bat Algorithm (MBA), an improved metaheuristic that enhances exploration and avoids local optima, demonstrating superior performance on benchmark functions and a real-world call center problem.

Contribution

The paper proposes the Modified Bat Algorithm (MBA), which improves exploration and convergence speed over the original BA and other algorithms.

Findings

MBA outperforms BA, PSO, GA, and DA on benchmark functions.

MBA effectively solves a real-world call center optimization problem.

MBA reduces local optima entrapment compared to original BA.

Abstract

Bat Algorithm (BA) is a nature-inspired metaheuristic search algorithm designed to efficiently explore complex problem spaces and find near-optimal solutions. The algorithm is inspired by the echolocation behavior of bats, which acts as a signal system to estimate the distance and hunt prey. Although the BA has proven effective for various optimization problems, it exhibits limited exploration ability and susceptibility to local optima. The algorithm updates velocities and positions based on the current global best solution, causing all agents to converge towards a specific location, potentially leading to local optima issues in optimization problems. On this premise, this paper proposes the Modified Bat Algorithm (MBA) as an enhancement to address the local optima limitation observed in the original BA. MBA incorporates the frequency and velocity of the current best solution, enhancing convergence speed to the optimal solution and preventing local optima entrapment. While the original BA faces diversity issues, both the original BA and MBA are introduced. To assess MBAs performance, three sets of test functions (classical benchmark functions, CEC2005, and CEC2019) are employed, with results compared to those of the original BA, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Dragonfly Algorithm (DA). The outcomes demonstrate the MBAs significant superiority over other algorithms. Additionally, MBA successfully addresses a real-world assignment problem (call center problem), traditionally solved using linear programming methods, with satisfactory results.