My basic line of research is Software Agents. The Behavior Based Model is based in the idea that complex behavior, such as intelligent behavior, can be accomplished by combining the simple behaviors of hundreds of small, very simple agents. The whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.
Agents uses software agents to layout circuits and check design rules.
They run in parallel to cooperatively solve the design problem. A new version of this system, called Agents 2, is being developed in Java. This versions will test the concepts of the Behavior Based Model on parallel machines, where the small agents can truly run in parallel. Secure Interface for a Universal Database Server. To attain a level of behavior comparable to humans, the Behavior Based Model has to be augmented with the ability of handling language.