An optimization method: Hummingbirds optimization algorithm

This paper introduces an optimization algorithm, the hummingbirds optimization algorithm (HOA), which is inspired by the foraging process of hummingbirds. The proposed algorithm includes two phases: a self-searching phase and a guide-searching phase. With these two phases, the exploration and exploitation abilities of the algorithm can be balanced. Both the constrained and unconstrained benchmark functions are employed to test the performance of HOA. Ten classic benchmark functions are considered as unconstrained benchmark functions. Meanwhile, two engineering design optimization problems are employed as constrained benchmark functions. The results of these experiments demonstrate HOA is efficient and capable of global optimization.