Applying autonomous control methods in different logistic processes - A comparison by using an Autonomous Control Application Matrix

Abstract

Autonomously controlled processes represent a decentralized approach to deal with today's increasing complexity in production logistics. Different autonomous control methods offer the possibility to redesign logistics processes in the way that control is shifted from centralized planning to autonomous logistic objects. The performance of these methods embedded in logistic processes needs to be measured in order to select the appropriate method for each process. This measurement can be done using an evaluation system but due to the vast diversity of logistic processes, it is extremely difficult to give general recommendations regarding the performance of autonomous control methods in different settings. Especially companies have to be able to find the most suitable methods for their individual logistic processes. This paper introduces an Autonomous Control Application Matrix which allows identifying the autonomous control method that fits best to a specific logistic process. The matrix contains actual performance values, performance percentage, and rank of each method in combination with a specific process.978-1-4244-4685-8/09/$25.00 ©2009 IEEE

Dynamic flexible flow shop problems—Scheduling heuristics vs. autonomous control

“…Several local information methods based on different decision strategies have been designed for manufacturing purposes. These strategies can be classified in rational, bounded rational and combined strategies [8]. Rational methods predict future system states and make decisions.…”

A classification pattern for autonomous control methods in logistics

“…The diversity of possible autonomous control methods leads to the questions of the methods' individual performance and calls for a comparison of these methods. A previously developed Autonomous Control Application Matrix is available to support the evaluation and comparison efforts [22]. A comparison of simulation results is presented in Scholz-Reiter et al [14], but only taking into consideration three different methods and aiming at showing the relation between process complexity and level of autonomous control.…”