ALADDIN - evaluating change with technology

An award-winning, collaborative project led by the University of Southampton has been using technologies ranging from computer modelling to automated robots to investigate ways to improve the understanding of constantly changing scenarios.

The ALADDIN (Autonomous Learning Agents For Decentralised Data and Information Networks) research programme is a multi-million pound multidisciplinary strategic research partnership joint funded by BAE Systems and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and run in conjunction with researchers from the Universities of Bristol, Oxford, and Imperial College London.

Emergency situations place complex communications systems including multiple agencies, under severe strain. ALADDIN focuses on developing techniques and technology to overcome the challenges facing different agencies involved in an emergency response. For example, it can ensure a more effective response and improve the safety of men and women working in 'danger zones' or aid the safe evacuation of people from dangerous buildings after an earthquake.

The multi-agent toolbox developed by the ALADDIN researchers is applicable across a range of data and information applications, such as networked defence systems. BAE Systems is now integrating ALADDIN technology to improve a range of applications.

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