TWOSTEP: Multi-agent Task Planning using Classical Planners and Large Language Models

Core Concepts

Combining classical planning and large language models for efficient multi-agent task planning.

Abstract

The content discusses the integration of classical planning and large language models (LLMs) for multi-agent task planning. It explores the limitations of classical planning in capturing temporal aspects and the potential of LLMs in inferring plan steps. The TWOSTEP method decomposes multi-agent planning into two single-agent planning problems, leveraging LLMs for goal decomposition. Results show that TWOSTEP achieves faster planning times and shorter execution steps compared to traditional multi-agent PDDL problems.
I. Introduction

Classical planning limitations in multi-agent settings.
Leveraging LLMs for plan inference.
TWOSTEP method overview.
II. Background

Definition of planning problems in single and multi-agent settings.
Overview of PDDL functioning.
III. Multi-agent Planning Method: TWOSTEP

Decomposing multi-agent planning into two single-agent problems.
Leveraging LLMs for goal decomposition.
Execution of TWOSTEP method.
IV. Experiment Setup

Evaluation of TWOSTEP in symbolic and simulated domains.
Comparison with single-agent and multi-agent PDDL planning.
Evaluation metrics: planning time and execution length.
V. Results

Comparison of planning time and execution length for different approaches.
TWOSTEP's efficiency in planning and execution.
Human annotation comparison for LLM-inferred subgoals.
VI. Conclusion

Summary of TWOSTEP's effectiveness in multi-agent task planning.
Acknowledgment of support from the Army Research Lab.
References to related works.

Stats

"TWOSTEP achieves that balance when both: the planning domain considers agent state in action preconditions; and the planning problem to solve contains two or more partially independent subgoals rather than requiring strict action sequencing."
"LLM inference times are 6.79 ± 1.48 for English subgoal generation and 4.67 ± 2.55 for PDDL subgoal generation."
"The monetary cost of GPT-4 inference was $30."

Quotes

"TWOSTEP leverages commonsense from LLM to effectively divide a problem between two agents for faster execution."
"Results show that LLM-based goal decomposition leads to faster planning time than the multi-agent PDDL problem and shorter plan execution steps than the single agent execution."

Key Insights Distilled From

TwoStep

by Ishika Singh... at arxiv.org 03-27-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.17246.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can the TWOSTEP method be adapted for real-world applications beyond the experimental domains?

The TWOSTEP method can be adapted for real-world applications by incorporating it into various scenarios that involve multi-agent task planning. One way to adapt TWOSTEP is to integrate it into autonomous systems, such as robotic assembly lines or collaborative robots working together in industrial settings. By leveraging the division of tasks between a helper and main agent, TWOSTEP can optimize the workflow, reduce planning time, and enhance overall efficiency in real-world applications.
Furthermore, TWOSTEP can be applied in logistics and supply chain management, where multiple agents need to coordinate their actions to achieve a common goal. By using large language models to infer subgoals and guide the agents in parallel execution, tasks like inventory management, order fulfillment, and transportation logistics can be streamlined and optimized.
In the field of smart home automation, TWOSTEP can be utilized to coordinate actions between different smart devices and appliances. For example, in a smart kitchen setting, one agent could be responsible for food preparation while another handles cooking tasks, leading to a more efficient and synchronized cooking process.
Overall, the adaptability of TWOSTEP lies in its ability to enhance coordination and collaboration between multiple agents in various real-world applications, ultimately improving task efficiency and productivity.

What are the potential drawbacks or limitations of relying on large language models for multi-agent task planning?

While large language models (LLMs) offer significant advantages in multi-agent task planning, there are several potential drawbacks and limitations to consider:

Complexity and Interpretability: LLMs are highly complex models that operate as black boxes, making it challenging to interpret their decision-making process. This lack of transparency can lead to difficulties in understanding how the model generates subgoals and plans, limiting the ability to troubleshoot errors or biases.

Data Bias and Generalization: LLMs rely on the data they are trained on, which can introduce biases and limitations in their decision-making. If the training data is not diverse or representative enough, the model may struggle to generalize to new scenarios or tasks, impacting the effectiveness of multi-agent planning.

Scalability and Resource Intensity: Training and utilizing LLMs for multi-agent planning can be computationally intensive and resource-demanding. Large-scale models require significant computational power and memory, which may pose challenges in real-time applications or environments with limited resources.

Robustness and Adaptability: LLMs may lack robustness in dynamic or changing environments where new information or constraints are introduced. Adapting quickly to unforeseen circumstances or adjusting plans on the fly can be a limitation of relying solely on pre-trained language models.

Ethical and Privacy Concerns: Utilizing LLMs for multi-agent planning raises ethical considerations related to data privacy, security, and potential misuse of the technology. Ensuring the responsible and ethical use of these models is crucial to mitigate risks and safeguard against unintended consequences.

How might the integration of human intuition and large language models enhance the efficiency of multi-agent planning systems?

The integration of human intuition and large language models (LLMs) can significantly enhance the efficiency of multi-agent planning systems in the following ways:

Contextual Understanding: Human intuition provides a nuanced understanding of complex tasks and scenarios, which can guide LLMs in generating more contextually relevant subgoals and plans. By combining human expertise with the computational power of LLMs, multi-agent planning systems can benefit from a deeper understanding of the task at hand.

Error Correction and Validation: Human intuition can help validate and correct the output of LLMs, ensuring that the generated subgoals align with domain-specific requirements and constraints. Human oversight can enhance the accuracy and reliability of the planning process, reducing the risk of errors or suboptimal plans.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Integrating human intuition allows for adaptive decision-making in dynamic environments where predefined rules may not suffice. LLMs can leverage human insights to adjust plans on the fly, respond to unexpected events, and optimize task execution in real-time.

Bias Mitigation: Human oversight can help identify and mitigate biases in LLM-generated plans, ensuring fairness, diversity, and ethical considerations in multi-agent planning. By incorporating human feedback, the system can address potential biases and improve the overall quality of decision-making.

Enhanced Communication: Human intuition can facilitate clearer communication between agents and LLMs, enabling a more seamless collaboration in multi-agent planning. By bridging the gap between human understanding and machine learning capabilities, the integration of human intuition can lead to more effective and efficient task coordination.