Metaheuristic Masterclass Part 1 : Whale Optimization Technique
The Whale Optimization Technique (WOA) is a nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithm that mimics the unique hunting behavior of humpback whales, specifically their bubble-net feeding strategy. The algorithm was proposed in 2016 and is widely used for solving complex optimization problems across diverse domains. How WOA Works WOA simulates three primary behaviors: Encircling Prey: Search agents (whale representations) attempt to position themselves around the best solution found so far, mimicking whales surrounding prey. Bubble-Net Attacking (Exploitation): Agents update their positions in a spiral pattern towards the optimal solution, representing the bubble-net maneuver whales use to trap prey, which helps intensify the search around promising solutions. Search for Prey (Exploration): The algorithm maintains diversity by allowing agents to follow randomly selected solutions, exploring different regions of the search space. WOA balances exploration...