Industrial applications of multi-agent systems: current state and prospects

Multi-agent system are perceived as one of the most promising technologies for distributed systems development. However current evidences show a lack of industry-level applications. The paper examines the main trends and prospects in development of industrial applications of multi-agent systems and technology, as well as analyzes the recent forecasts and the current state-of-the art with its practical applications. A survey of currently present researches, techniques, frameworks and standards is provided and supported with the most recent statistical data. The paper also analyzes external and internal obstacles for broad commercialization of multi-agent systems and technologies and the lessons learnt through these analyses. The paper describes properties and types of current and future applications for which multi-agent technology has unquestionable advantages including enterprise management, aviation and space, energetics, transportation etc. The paper also shows that multi-agent systems and technologies currently have no alternatives in self-organized control of large-scale objects of network structure.