The Teamcore group is focused on research driven by real-world problems. Our roots
are in Artificial Intelligence and within that areas of intelligent agents and multiagent
systems and computational game theory: our research has dealt with systems where
multiple intelligent agents interact, where these agents may be humans, software
agents, virtual agents in simulations, virtual or real crowds, or robots. Given
our focus on research inspired by real-world problems, typically problems of security,
safety and sustainability, our collaborations cut across disciplinary boundaries.
We have established strong collaborations with faculty members in Psychology, Operations
Research, Civil and Environmental Engineering and several other departments
at USC and elsewhere.
Key examples of this use-inspired research include our
ARMOR, IRIS,
GUARDS and PROTECT
systems. While ARMOR is focused on a game-theoretic application for security scheduling
at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), IRIS does game-theoretic scheduling
for the FAMS (Federal Air Marshals service) and GUARDS for the TSA (Transportation
Security Administration). PROTECT generates weighted randomized patrols and is planned
to be used by the Coast Guard. In this work, we created new algorithms for solving
a class of game-theoretic games known as Stackelberg games to address efficiency
concerns with existing techniques. Only in overcoming these challenges could we
successfully produce a practical application for real-world use. Today, the ARMOR
system has received numerous accolades
and has been in use at LAX since August 2007. IRIS has been in use since October
2009. GUARDS and PROTECT are being evaluated by the TSA and the Coast Guard for
large-scale deployment respectively.
Testimony by Robert S. Bray, Assistant Administrator, T.S.A. before the United
States House of Representatives, Transportation Security Subcommittee, Homeland
Security Committee. February 15, 2012:Testimony by Robert S. Bray