Holonic control of large-scale automated logistic systems

Abstract

Automation of resources for transport, transshipment, and storage is an important development in modern logistic systems. We study large-scale fully automated logistic systems with a high degree of flexibility. In such systems neither hierarchical nor heterarchical control are suitable. Hierarchical control has a static and rigid structure, while high levels of flexibility are needed. Heterachical control is more flexible and resistant to disturbances, but its behavior is complex, unpredictable, and hard to scale. We advocate a holonic approach for controlling large-scale automated logistic systems. Three different holons are introduced: one representing AGVs, one representing material handling stations, and one representing customer orders. The holonic control proved to be safe, efficient, reliable, and scalable. Furthermore, the holonic approach can easily deal with several types of disturbances, such as AGV breakdowns.