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Simulation of multi-agent manufacturing systems using agent-based modelling platforms

Publication . Barbosa, José; Leitão, Paulo

Multi-agent systems (MAS) are driving the way to design and engineer control solutions that exhibit flexibility, adaptation and reconfigurability, which are important advantages over traditional centralized systems. The understanding, design and testing of such distributed agentbased approaches, and particularly those exhibiting self-* properties, are usually a hard task. Simulation assumes a crucial role to analyse the behaviour of MAS solutions during the design phase and before its deployment into the real operation. Particularly, Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) tools are well suited to simulate MAS systems that exhibit complex phenomena, like emergent behaviour and self-organization. This paper discusses the simulation of agent-based manufacturing systems and introduces the advantages of using ABM tools. The NetLogo platform is used to illustrate the benefits of such tools in the manufacturing world on the specification of a MAS system for a washing machine production line.

2011Conference object

Open access

Deployment of multi-agent systems for industrial applications

Publication . Pereira, Arnaldo; Rodrigues, Nelson; Leitão, Paulo

Multi-agent system (MAS) is being pointed out as a suitable technology to develop systems that demand flexibility, robustness and re-configurability. Consequently, a significant effort has been noticed to apply MAS to industrial domains exhibiting these characteristics, like manufacturing and smart grids. In spite of the adequacy of the MAS principles to solve the industrial requirements, the truly deployment of MAS for industrial applications is far to be solved. This paper discusses the current challenges for the deployment of MAS in the context of industrial applications, mainly focusing the integration of agents with physical equipment and the ability to run agents directly in industrial or low cost controllers. An experimental MAS solution for a smart grid case study was deployed aiming to support the discussion.

2012Conference object

Restricted access