A diagram of MAX.
MAX stands for Meta-Reasoning Architecture for "X", where "X" is an unbound variable. MAX was designed to integrate reasoning, execution, and learning into an intelligent agent. Possible agents include autonomous robots or system controllers. MAX seeks to achieve planning, information gathering, and action execution, all in real time.
MAX was specifically designed to incorporate meta-reasoning. All cognitive actions, such as planning and learning, are controlled by meta-level knowledge.
The knowledge base in MAX is central to the architecture. All knowledge, including meta-knowledge, is represented homogeneously by l-frames (logic-frames). Perceptions are translated into knowledge, the execution of the problem-solver ("interpreter") is controlled by knowledge, and actions are taken from knowledge.
Six components of the architecture are described in detail: