A General Framework for Dynamic MAPF using Multi-Shot ASP and Tunnels

TL;DR

This paper introduces a flexible framework for solving dynamic multi-agent pathfinding problems in changing environments, using multi-shot answer set programming and a novel tunnel concept to improve planning efficiency and adaptability.

Contribution

It presents a new general definition for D-MAPF, a multi-shot ASP-based solution framework, and a novel tunnel concept to enhance dynamic path planning in real-world scenarios.

Findings

The ASP-based method effectively handles environment changes.

The tunnel concept improves planning efficiency.

Experimental results show competitive computational performance.

Abstract

MAPF problem aims to find plans for multiple agents in an environment within a given time, such that the agents do not collide with each other or obstacles. Motivated by the execution and monitoring of these plans, we study Dynamic MAPF (D-MAPF) problem, which allows changes such as agents entering/leaving the environment or obstacles being removed/moved. Considering the requirements of real-world applications in warehouses with the presence of humans, we introduce 1) a general definition for D-MAPF (applicable to variations of D-MAPF), 2) a new framework to solve D-MAPF (utilizing multi-shot computation, and allowing different methods to solve D-MAPF), and 3) a new ASP-based method to solve D-MAPF (combining advantages of replanning and repairing methods, with a novel concept of tunnels to specify where agents can move). We have illustrated the strengths and weaknesses of this method by experimental evaluations, from the perspectives of computational performance and quality of solutions.