A Semantic Mediator for Data Integration in Autonomous Logistics Processes

Abstract

Abstract. Autonomous control in logistic systems is characterized by the ability of logistic objects to process information, to render and to execute decisions on their own. This paper investigates whether the concept of the semantic mediator is applicable to the data integration problems arising from an application scenario of autonomous control in the transport logistics sector. Initially, characteristics of autonomous logistics processes are presented, highlighting the need for decentral data storage in such a paradigma. Subsequently, approaches towards data integration are examined. An application scenario exemplifying autonomous control in the field of transport logistics is presented and analysed, on the basis of which a concept, technical architecture and prototypical implementation of a semantic mediator is developed and described. A critical appraisal of the semantic mediator in the context of autonomous logistics processes concludes the paper, along with an outlook towards ongoing and future work.

Semantic Interoperability for Logistics and Beyond

“…The major data sources relevant for autonomous cooperating logistics processes were categorized in CRC 637 as (1) Logistics IT Systems, (2) Intelligent Logistics Objects, (3) Digital Counterparts and (4) Sensors and Actuators (Hribernik et al 2010). Whilst the first and last of the four categories are still appropriate today, the second and third need to be revisited in the light of the development of these topics over the past 10 years.…”

TOWARDS FOURTH-PARTY LOGISTICS PROVIDERS - A Business Model for Cloud-based Autonomous Logistics

“…Figure 2 illustrates a concept for a generic data integration concept for logistics clouds with the Internet of Things. It is an extension of a concept for generic data integration in autonomous logistics (Hribernik et al, 2010) which satisfies requirements both towards the coupling of the material and data flows as well as towards providing unified access to all relevant data sources including interfacing to the service consumers. At the heart of the concept lies a mediator component (Ullman, 1997;Wache et al, 2001), which is capable of composing queries to any combination of relevant logistics data sources.…”

Ontology-based communication for the decentralized material flow control of a conveyor facility

“…On the other hand, some standards for business-to-business communications, such as EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport) and EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Service), can be used conditionally for the communication in the agent-based material flow control. In this case, the specifics of the agent interactions as well as the application specifics have to be mapped carefully to the existing standards [11].…”