A Multimodal Multi-Objective Coati Optimization Algorithm Based on Spectral Clustering

Multimodal multi-objective problems refer to situations where more than one Pareto set in the decision space corresponds to the same Pareto front in the objective space. In this paper, we propose a multimodal multi-objective coati optimization algorithm based on spectral clustering (MMOCOA-SC) for use in multimodal multi-objective problems. The algorithm starts by creating stable subpopulations via a spectral clustering method, grouping similar individuals within each subpopulation. Then, an improved coati optimization algorithm is proposed in order to increase the diversity of the population and continuously search for near-Pareto optimal solutions. Finally, we use an improved crowding distance method combined with a non-dominated sorting method to maintain and retain multiple near-Pareto optimal solutions. The MMOCOA-SC is evaluated alongside five state-of-the-art algorithms using the 2020 CEC test suite, IDMP test problems, and twelve classic engineering application problems. In comparison to the other five state-of-the-art algorithms, the experimental results show that MMOCOA-SC exhibits a superior performance when applied to the problems. This study explores multimodal multi-objective optimization algorithms with a focus on the concept of symmetry, which is crucial for multimodal multi-objective optimization problems in terms of achieving a balanced decision space and a diversity of solutions in the objective space.