Tricky Optimization Problems tagged posts

AI Approach Offers Solutions to Tricky Optimization Problems, from Global Package Routing to Power Grid Operation

A stylized Earth has undulating, glowing teal pathways leading everywhere.
Researchers from MIT and ETH Zurich have developed a new, data-driven machine-learning technique that could be applied to many complex logistical challenges, such as package routing, vaccine distribution, and power grid management.
Credits:Image: iStock

While Santa Claus may have a magical sleigh and nine plucky reindeer to help him deliver presents, for companies like FedEx, the optimization problem of efficiently routing holiday packages is so complicated that they often employ specialized software to find a solution.

This software, called a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) solver, splits a massive optimization problem into smaller pieces and uses generic algorithms to try and find the best solution. However, the solver could take hours—or even days—to arrive at a solution...

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