Recent Trends in Solving the 8-Puzzle Problem
Y Swathi, Manoj Challa, Mahesh Kumar Jha · 2023
The 8-puzzle problem is a well-known artificial intelligence problem consisting of a 3x3 grid with 8 tiles numbered 1-8 and one blank space. The goal is to move the tiles around to achieve a specific goal configuration. This problem is often used as a test case for AI algorithms because of its small size and simple rules. It is a challenging problem because it requires a combination of search, planning, and decision-making skills. In this paper, we review recent trends focussing on techniques that have shown promise in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the search process. We discuss the use of hybridization approaches, which combine different search or optimization algorithms to improve the search process, as well as the use of parallel and distributed computing approaches, which can potentially speed up the search by dividing the search space into smaller pieces and assigning each piece to a separate processor or thread to be explored concurrently. We also review the use of machine learning techniques, such as reinforcement learning and deep learning, for solving this problem and discuss their potential for future research. Finally, we discuss open research questions and areas for future work in this field highlighting opportunities for further research and development in the field of solving the 8-puzzle problem.