Bees Algorithm
Bees Algorithm
A new algorithm similar to Genetic Algorithm has been developed by Manufacturing Engineering Centre at Cardiff University by Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Group led by Professor. D. T. Pham who was also my supervisor during my PhD.
Congratulations to all of them.
I came across with the algorithm this morning when searching something else. I am sure the method has great potential since we have many to learn from the bees.
What is the Bees Algorithm?
The Bees Algorithm is a swarm based optimisation algorithm that mimics the food foraging behaviour of honey bees.
The algorithm is similar to Genetic Algorithm in the sense that it is an inspiration from the nature to solve engineering problems.
Bees Algorithm Video shows the algorithm in the process of optimization. The video explains the bee dance (waggle dance).
The algorithm is not explained in detail. However, some basic steps are as follows.
Algorithm Step by Step
The Bees algorithm
The Bees Algorithm treats each point in the parameter space of possible solutions as a food source. “Scout bees” (simulation agents) randomly sample the solution space, and via a fitness function report the quality of the visited locations. The sampled solutions are ranked, and other “bees” are recruited to search the solution space in the neighborhood of the highest ranking locations (termed a “flower patch”). The algorithm selectively explores the most promising patches looking for the point of maximum fitness function.
1. Initialise population with random solutions.
2. Evaluate fitness of the population.
3. While (stopping criterion not met)
//Forming new population.
4. Select sites for neighbourhood search.
5. Recruit bees for selected sites (more bees for the best e sites) and evaluate fitnesses.
6. Select the fittest bee from each site.
7. Assign remaining bees to search randomly and evaluate their fitnesses.
8. End While.
It does not address techniques such as crossover or mutation in genetic algorithm. But they must have some similar operations relating to the real life of bees.
If you are interested you can find more information regarding the bees algorithm from here.
We would be happy if some more information is provided by dear Turkish fellow Ebubekir Koç who seems to be one of the inventors of the algorithm.
MEC ‘Bees’ have won the FIRST PRIZE in the poster competition organised by the Graduate School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Cardiff University, on 15th October.
