Today, planning and control of logistic processes on automobile terminals are generally executed by centralised logistics systems, which cannot cope with high requirements for flexible order processing due to increasing dynamics and complexity. The main business processes on automobile terminals -notification of vehicles by automobile manufacturer, transport to automobile terminal, storage and technical treatment as well as delivery to automobile dealer -are planned and controlled by centralised application software systems. In the context of this article, an innovative approach to autonomous control in automobile logistics is investigated, considering as example the logistic order processing of an idealised automobile terminal of the company E.H. Harms Automobile-Logistics. Within a simulation study, evidence of the existing application potential of autonomous control in the field of vehicle storage management is provided. Thereupon the technical feasibility of an autonomously controlled storage management system is examined. System requirements for technical implementation of an autonomously controlled storage management are deviated. Thereafter, results of an executed case study concerning the implementation and test of an autonomously controlled, radio frequency identification (RFID) based storage management system are presented and the remaining weaknesses of the implemented IT solution are identified. Finally, further research and development activities are introduced in the form of a wearable computing concept using smart clothes.

Logistics is a very dynamic and heterogeneous application area which generates complex requirements regarding the development of information and communication technologies (ICT). For this area, it is a challenge to support mobile workers on-site in an unobtrusive manner. In this contribution, wearable computing technologies are investigated as basis for a "mobile worker supporting system" for tasks at an automobile terminal. The features of wearable computing technologies are checked against the requirements of the application area to come to an usable and acceptable mobile solution in an user-centred design process.

No abstract

The chapter examines a multi-loop development process for a wearable computing system within a new paradigm in logistic applications. The implementation of this system will be demonstrated by an example from the field of autonomous logistics for automobile logistics. The development process is depicted from selecting and combining hardware through to the adjustment to both user and operative environment. Further, this chapter discusses critical success factors like robustness and flexibility. The objective is to present problems and challenges as well as a possible approach to cope with them.

No abstract