Preface
One motivation for studying automated planning is very practical: the need
for information processing tools that provide affordable and efficient planning
resources. Such tools are needed for use in complex and changing tasks that involve
demanding safety and/or efficiency requirements. They are needed for integrating
more autonomy and intelligent control capabilities in complex artifacts. Automated
planning technology is already capable enough to be useful in a variety of demand-
ing applications, in areas ranging from controlling space vehicles and robots to
deploying emergency operations and playing the game of bridge.
Another motivation for automated planning is more theoretical. Planning is an
important component of rational behavior. If ...