Autonomy and viability-measures for agent-based manufacturing systems

An Agent-Based Manufacturing System (ABMS), represented as a model of future manufacturing systems, is introduced in this article. In an ABMS, computerized agents are autonomous and working collaboratively through the regulation of structured dialogues. The autonomy functions of an agent are demonstrated by four internal functions: internal resource management, a reflexivity mechanism, a goal adjustment mechanism, and collaboration management. The four functions assist an agent in interacting with other agents and with the environment and to adjust itself to the situation in the dynamic environment. Agents are similar to living systems. Based on the concept of living systems, autonomy and viability at the agent level are proposed and defined as new measures for manufacturing systems. A theory of coexistence and parasitism of ABMS is developed to identify the coexistent and parasitic characteristics of ABMS. Applications of the theory to real cases are also illustrated. Finally, a road map for the future research of distributed, collaborative manufacturing organizations is shown, based on the ABMS model developed.