The funny case of the Sphex wasp
An example of an (not) autonomous agent.
The definition of an autonomous agent is
Autonomous agents are software programs which respond to states and events in their environment independent from direct instruction by the user or owner of the agent, but acting on behalf and in the interest of the owner.
T. Bösser, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001
Below the funny case of the Sphex wasp and how she fails
Step 1
When the time comes for egg laying, the female Sphex builds a burrow, go out and seeks a caterpillar to sting in such a way as to paralyse but not kill it.
Step 2
She drags the caterpillar to the burrow. Enter the burrow again to check all is well, drag the caterpillar inside.
Lay its eggs and caterpillar serves as a food source during hatching.
GOTO Step 1
But suppose caterpillar is moved a few inches away while Sphex is doing checking and it will revert back to the “drag” step and will continue the plan without modification.
Conclusion
When an agent leverages on previous knowledge instead of perception, loses autonomies.
