Next Generation Maintenance Systems: Towards the Design of a Self-maintenance Machine

We describe the evolution of maintenance generations, and the predicted areas of next generation maintenance systems (NGMS). Unmet needs in responsive maintenance are highlighted followed by research and development questions. Key Features of NGMS are outlined and examples of some approaches are highlighted. We then focus on a main characteristic of next generation maintenance systems which is self maintenance capabilities. A self maintenance model is then presented, followed by describing features of self maintenance systems.