A multi-agent based knowledge search methodology for product development

The amount of information available via networks and databases brings forward the limited assistance of existing search and retrieval engines in locating relevant information that users need. Due to the rising demand for information retrieval, manufacturers employ various search techniques to provide a more satisfied information retrieval performance in its domain. This paper proposes a knowledge search methodology using autonomous, intelligent agents to transform passive search and retrieval engines to active, personal assistants for the product development process. The combination of effective information retrieval techniques and autonomous, intelligent agents will improve the performance of short-term information retrieval in existing search or retrieval engines. Early results of an on-going research project will be presented and discussed. This includes a multiagent aid approach for knowledge search, the selection of agent construction tools, and the current implementation of the proposed methodology