Quorum Sensing in Multi‐Agent Systems

As used by current researchers, the term quorum sensing (QS) denotes a means for a group of independent agents to reach common decision, and then to take collective action. Although the independence of each of the agents leads to the strength of the collective action, this independence also leads to a non-deterministic outcome, since a quorum may not be reached even when appropriate. A quorum could be prevented by various causes, such as insufficient density of agents, interfering communication noise, adversarial interference in the inter-agent communications, or adverse environmental conditions. If and when the tipping point of a quorum for decision-making is reached, then the independent behavior of the individuals changes, and the group begins to act as a unified entity.