Averager-copier-voter models for hybrid opinion dynamics in complex networks

A hybrid model for opinion dynamics in complex multi-agent networks is introduced, wherein some continuous-valued agents average neighbors' opinions to update their own, while other discrete-valued agents use stochastic copying and voting protocols. A statistical and graph-theoretic analysis of the model is undertaken, and consensus is shown to be achieved whenever the network matrix is ergodic. Also, the time required for consensus is characterized, in terms of the network's graph and the distribution of agents of different types.Comment: Submitted to Automatica; preliminary work in this direction published in 2016 IFAC LSS Symposiu