Author name cluster

Vignesh Narayanan

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4 papers

2 author rows

AAAI Conference 2026 System Paper

OMEGA: An Ontology-Driven Tool for Explaining Multi-Agent Path Finding

Bharath Muppasani
Ritirupa Dey
Biplav Srivastava
Vignesh Narayanan

Multi-Agent Path Finding (MAPF) algorithms provide highly optimized solutions for coordinating multiple agents in shared environments, yet their outputs lack explainability to human stakeholders. Existing explanation approaches, such as visual trace segmentation or logic-based reasoning, remain fragmented. In this demo, we present OMEGA, an interactive explanation platform that generates Natural Language (NL) explanations using the novel Multi-Agent Planning Ontology (maPO). Our framework transforms raw MAPF planner execution logs into a semantic knowledge graph, enabling SPARQL-based explanations of collision events, replanning strategies, and efficiency trade-offs. A lightweight web interface allows users to query, visualize, and interpret planner decisions, thereby making MAPF solutions transparent and auditable. We conducted a user study that confirms the ontology-driven explanations are significantly clearer and more preferred than raw logs, underscoring the potential of semantic technologies for explainable multi-agent systems.

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AAAI Conference 2024 System Paper

Expressive and Flexible Simulation of Information Spread Strategies in Social Networks Using Planning

Bharath Muppasani
Vignesh Narayanan
Biplav Srivastava
Michael N. Huhns

In the digital age, understanding the dynamics of information spread and opinion formation within networks is paramount. This research introduces an innovative framework that combines the principles of opinion dynamics with the strategic capabilities of Automated Planning. We have developed, to the best of our knowledge, the first-ever numeric PDDL tailored for opinion dynamics. Our tool empowers users to visualize intricate networks, simulate the evolution of opinions, and strategically influence that evolution to achieve specific outcomes. By harnessing Automated Planning techniques, our framework offers a nuanced approach to devise sequences of actions tailored to transition a network from its current opinion landscape to a desired state. This holistic approach provides insights into the intricate interplay of individual nodes within a network and paves the way for targeted interventions. Furthermore, the tool facilitates human-AI collaboration, enabling users to not only understand information spread but also devise practical strategies to mitigate potential harmful outcomes arising from it. Demo Video link - https://tinyurl.com/3k7bp99h

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NeurIPS Conference 2024 Conference Paper

Towards Effective Planning Strategies for Dynamic Opinion Networks

Bharath Muppasani
Protik Nag
Vignesh Narayanan
Biplav Srivastava
Michael N. Huhns

In this study, we investigate the under-explored intervention planning aimed at disseminating accurate information within dynamic opinion networks by leveraging learning strategies. Intervention planning involves identifying key nodes (search) and exerting control (e. g. , disseminating accurate/official information through the nodes) to mitigate the influence of misinformation. However, as the network size increases, the problem becomes computationally intractable. To address this, we first introduce a ranking algorithm to identify key nodes for disseminating accurate information, which facilitates the training of neural network (NN) classifiers that provide generalized solutions for the search and planning problems. Second, we mitigate the complexity of label generation—which becomes challenging as the network grows—by developing a reinforcement learning (RL)-based centralized dynamic planning framework. We analyze these NN-based planners for opinion networks governed by two dynamic propagation models. Each model incorporates both binary and continuous opinion and trust representations. Our experimental results demonstrate that the ranking algorithm-based classifiers provide plans that enhance infection rate control, especially with increased action budgets for small networks. Further, we observe that the reward strategies focusing on key metrics, such as the number of susceptible nodes and infection rates, outperform those prioritizing faster blocking strategies. Additionally, our findings reveal that graph convolutional network (GCN)-based planners facilitate scalable centralized plans that achieve lower infection rates (higher control) across various network configurations (e. g. , Watts-Strogatz topology, varying action budgets, varying initial infected nodes, and varying degree of infected nodes).

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IROS Conference 2015 Conference Paper

A human factors analysis of proactive support in human-robot teaming

Yu Zhang 0055
Vignesh Narayanan
Tathagata Chakraborti
Subbarao Kambhampati

It has long been assumed that for effective human-robot teaming, it is desirable for assistive robots to infer the goals and intents of the humans, and take proactive actions to help them achieve their goals. However, there has not been any systematic evaluation of the accuracy of this claim. On the face of it, there are several ways a proactive robot assistant can in fact reduce the effectiveness of teaming. For example, it can increase the cognitive load of the human teammate by performing actions that are unanticipated by the human. In such cases, even though the teaming performance could be improved, it is unclear whether humans are willing to adapt to robot actions or are able to adapt in a timely manner. Furthermore, misinterpretations and delays in goal and intent recognition due to partial observations and limited communication can also reduce the performance. In this paper, our aim is to perform an analysis of human factors on the effectiveness of such proactive support in human-robot teaming. We perform our evaluation in a simulated Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) task, in which the efficacy of teaming is not only dependent on individual performance but also on teammates' interactions with each other. In this task, the human teammate is remotely controlling a robot while working with an intelligent robot teammate `Mary'. Our main result shows that the subjects generally preferred Mary with the ability to provide proactive support (compared to Mary without this ability). Our results also show that human cognitive load was increased with a proactive assistant (albeit not significantly) even though the subjects appeared to interact with it less.

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