An apparatus is invented for implementing adaptive routing in packet switched networks. The hardware structure of the apparatus is based on the AntNet, which is an adaptive routing algorithm for selecting an optimized network route using a mobile agent that simulates an ant. The AntNet-based hardware structure can be applied to a system-on-chip system. The original AntNet algorithm is adapted for hardware implementation. Performance of the modified algorithm of the invention was verified by comparing the modified algorithm with the original AntNet algorithm in a virtual network structure. The hardware structure of the invention is effective for AntNet-based routing.