NEW CONCEPTS OF MODELLING AND EVALUATING AUTONOMOUS LOGISTIC PROCESSES

Due to the existing dynamic and structural complexity of today’s logistics systems, central planning and control of logistic processes becomes increasingly difficult. This intensifies the ongoing paradigm shift in logistic processes from centralised control of ‘non-intelligent’ items in hierarchical structures towards decentralised control of ‘intelligent’ items in heterarchical structures. The paper explains the observed paradigm shift in terms of new requirements related to modelling and evaluating methods of autonomy in logistic processes. The opportunities of autonomous logistic processes in contrast to conventionally managed logistic processes will be discussed on an exemplary scenario. Copyright © 2004 IFAC

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