Graph theory-the key to AI applications in dynamics

The goal of this research was to develop an expert system for dynamic and kinematic mechanical systems. This goal was achieved through a creative combination of a previously-developed graph-theory technique, the vector-network method, plus the blackboard technique from artificial intelligence, implemented in the MAPLE algebraic manipulation language. The resulting program, KINDY (kinematic/dynamic problem solver) was successfully tested on a variety of two-dimensional kinematic and dynamic problems involving particles. It has since been superseded by DBS (for dynamic blackboard system) which has the capability of solving systems with rigid bodies and closed kinematic chains. This combination of methods holds great promise for artificial intelligence applications in dynamics.