Collective Adaptive Systems (CAS) is a broad term that describes large scale systems that comprise of many units/nodes, each of which may have their own individual properties, objectives and actions. Decision-making in such a system is distributed and possibly highly dispersed, and interaction between the units may lead to the emergence of unexpected phenomena. CASs are open, in that nodes may enter or leave the collective at any time, and boundaries between CASs are fluid. The units can be highly heterogeneous (computers, robots, agents, devices, biological entities, etc.), each operating at different temporal and spatial scales, and having different (potentially conflicting) objectives and goals, even if often the system has a global goal that is pursued by means of collective actions. Our society increasingly depends on such systems, in which collections of heterogeneous ‘technological’ nodes are tightly entangled with human and social structures to form ‘artificial societies’. Yet, to properly exploit them, we need to develop a deeper scientific understanding of the principles by which they operate, in order to better design them.
The special issue will feature articles that concern different and interdisciplinary aspects of collective adaptive systems, as specified in the following list of topics.
The special issue seeks original, unpublished work on technologies enabling collaboration. The authors of the best papers form FoCAS@SASO2014 will be invited to submit an extended version to this special issue.
The SCPE journal has a rigorous peer-review process and papers will be sent to at least two independent referees. Papers that do not merit publication (for any reason) can be rejected by the Special Issue Editors without further review.