Autonomy and viability-measures for agent-based manufacturing systems

An Agent-Based Manufacturing System (ABMS), represented as a model of futur e manufacturing systems, is introduced in this article. In an ABMS, compute rized agents are autonomous and working collaboratively through the regulat ion of structured dialogues. The autonomy functions of an agent are demonst rated by four internal functions: internal resource management, a reflexivi ty mechanism, a goal adjustment mechanism, and collaboration management. Th e four functions assist an agent in interacting with other agents and with the environment and to adjust itself to the situation in the dynamic enviro nment. Agents are similar to living systems. Based on the concept of living systems, autonomy and viability at the agent level are proposed and define d as new measures for manufacturing systems. A theory of coexistence and pa rasitism of ABMS is developed to identify the coexistent and parasitic char acteristics of ABMS. Applications of the theory to real cases are also illu strated. Finally, a road map for the future research of distributed, collab orative manufacturing organizations is shown, based on the ABMS model devel oped.