Reinforcement Learning of Material Flow Control Logic Using Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation

Abstract

In this paper the concept of reinforcement learning agent is presented, which can deduce the correct control policy of a plant by acting in its digital twin (the HiL simulation). This way the agent substitutes a real control system. By using reinforcement learning methods, a proof of concept application is presented for a simplistic material flow system, with the same type of access to the digital twin which a PLC controller-hardware would have. With the presented approach the agent is able to find the correct control policy.