Multi-agent pathfinding is the problem of finding a non-interfering paths for a set of agents, such that if the agents follow these paths then each agent will reach its desired destination. Recent years have shown tremendous advances in this field, with optimal and suboptimal algorithms that are able to plan paths for over 100 agents in reasonable time. However, autonomous mobile agents are prime targets for cyber-security attacks, where an adversary may take control over an agent to disrupt the agents execution of their plan. This threat raises two questions. The first question is how much damage can an agent do if it does not follow its plan.

YAVNE, ISRAEL – After 15 years of development, an Israeli tech firm is optimistic it will finally get its 1,500 kg (1.5 ton) passenger-carrying drone off the ground and into the market by 2020. The Cormorant, billed as a flying car, is capable of transporting 500 kg (around half a ton) and traveling at 185 km (115 miles) per hour. It completed its first automated solo flight over terrain in November. Its total price is estimated at $14 million. Developers Urban Aeronautics believe the dark green drone, which uses internal rotors rather than helicopter propellers, could evacuate people from hostile environments or allow military forces safe access.

Tactical Robots, an Israeli firm, has been running test flights of its Cormorant unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) this summer, and will keep expanding those tests to bring its aircraft with internal spinning rotors to the market. As of September, the truck-sized, self-flying vehicle can navigate on its own and is capable of ATOL (Automatic Takeoff and Landing). Tactical Robots will start increasing the Cormorant's speed in upcoming tests, the firm said in a press release. Rafi Yoeli, the founder and head of Urban Aeronautics, of which Tactical Robots is a subsidiary, tells TIME that the Cormorant will have both military and commercial uses. Its internal rotors will allow the Cormorant to land in sloped or rocky terrain as well as narrow residential areas, Yoeli says, unlike helicopters or drones with spinning blade rotors that require a wider landing and flight path.