Multi-Agent Research and Simulation | MARS GROUP

The multi-agent framework MARS (Multi-Agent Research and Simulation) is a research project, developed at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg and the University of Hamburg, incorporating newest concepts of agent-based and individual-based programming.

Usage

MARS can be used for modelling, execution and analysis of simulated scenarios. It provides the following component:

Model Kinds

MARS has been implemented with the main focus to support the following model types:

  • With spatial reference
    • Grid-based simulations
    • GPS-based simulations
  • Without spatial reference
    • Social-based simulations
    • Ordinary numerics simulations

The framework can also be used to implement and solve ordinary system dynamics.

Their biggest distinction is between using a grid as a coordinate reference system or GPS (geospatial models). The two are not compatible as they target a different kind of models. You will have to choose the appropriate one depending on your use-case.

If you want to create a simple model where the agents move around on a grid and interact with each other, you should choose the grid as your coordinate reference system. Should you, on the other hand, wish to do a more complex model that might even include GIS (vector, raster) data or time-series (spatio-temporal) data you should opt for the GPS-based one. The agents will still be able to move around and interact, but they will use longitude and latitude values as their means of positioning and distances will be in meters instead of grid cells.