Using domain knowledge to restrict search in an AI planner

O-Plan is a project centred around computer based generative planning. There are a number of features which make this a problem of interest to A1, not least the aspects of search space control which are studied in O-Plan. However, search implies decisions at choice points and hence has to include arbitration and decision making into its overall aims. This cannot be achieved without proper dependency and representational schemes capable of allowing resolution of conflicts. The O-Plan study has given insight into the real requirements of such schemes, though they remain difficult, and it has made a positive contribution to the current arsenal of search space control techniques.<>