Intelligent Control of Material Handling Systems

Abstract

This chapter starts with an introduction of a more decentralized approach for controlling systems for manufacturing and material handling. Different approaches for intelligent control is discussed, and finally two cases of material handling is presented, one large‐scale complex system of baggage handling in an airport and the other a case of scheduling items through a manufacturing process. A conceptual introduction to agent technologies is given which summarizes some of the important characteristics about both the single agent and when they collectively become a multiagent system. Architectures which describe the internal structure of the agent were discussed in the perspective of different agent types. Reactive agents directly respond to perceived inputs, whereas deliberative agents proactively pursue their own goals. This chapter introduced a number of structures to facilitate this, such as a hierarchical or team‐based organization.