Case-Based Reasoning: Taming the Similarity Heuristic

Abstract

Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a methodology for employing imprecise data and uncertain information in the development of solutions to fuzzy real world problems. It is seen as an alternative to rule-based systems, which may fail under these conditions. Under the sponsorship of DARPA, we have developed a generic CBR shell.

The system was evaluated in the domain of NACA airfoils. A subject matter expert was asked to select airfoils (cases) which were similar to target airfoils. He then defined attributes and weights by which he had judged this similarity. These parameters were then used by PROSPER in a retrieval of airfoils similar to the same targets. From a case base of 98 airfoils, PROSPER retrieved 9 out of 17 selected by the expert. After modifying the similarity algorithms, PROSPER retrieved 11 out of 17.

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