SFB 637:  Autonomous Cooperating Logistic Processes - A Paradigm Shift and its Limitations

• Subject Area: Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering ; Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering ; Materials Science and Engineering
• Term: from 2004 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5485934

The dynamic and structural complexity of logistics networks makes it very difficult to provide all information necessary for a central planning and control instance. It requires, therefore, adaptive logistic processes including autonomous capabilities for the decentralised coordination of autonomous logistic objects in a heterarchical structure. The autonomy of the logistic objects such as cargo, transit equipment and transportation systems can be realised by novel communication technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and wireless communication networks. These and others permit and require new control strategies and autonomous decentralised control systems for logistic processes. In this setting, aspects like flexibility, adaptability and reactivity to dynamically changing external influences while maintaining the global goals are of central interest.
The basic objective of the Collaborative Research Centre is the systematic and broad research in "autonomy" and a new control paradigm for real-life logistic processes. There are three major goals:
-- scientific research of the "autonomy" concept and the development of a theoretical framework for the modelling of autonomous logistic processes,
-- methods and tools for efficient dynamic control systems as well as their communication and coordination geared towards logistics systems,
-- investigation of the impacts of the autonomy paradigm on logistics systems and their future development using modified control methods and processes.
The autonomy paradigm and its application to logistic processes can only be developed in a holistic and cross-disciplinary approach. Based on a system concept known from systems engineering, there are three task layers to be covered in the Collaborative Research Centre: material flow and logistics, communication networks and knowledge-based methods, and organisation and management. The research centres therefore around the autonomous physical flow of wares and goods, its realisation by information systems, and the management of autonomous logistic processes.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres

Completed projects

• A01 - Prozessorientierte Basisstudien zur Selbststeuerung (Project Head Windt, Katja )
• A02 - Nachhaltiges Management für Selbststeuerung in logistischen Prozessen - Konzipierung, Chancen und Grenzen (Project Head Müller-Christ, Georg )
• A03 - Monitoring of Autonomous Cooperation: Empirical Application of Indicators for Describing and Evaluating the Relationship of Autonomous Cooperation and Central Control of Logistic Processes from an Economical Perspective (Project Head Hülsmann, Michael )
• A04 - Rule-based Graph Transformation: Modelling of Autonomous Logistic Processes with Rule-based Graph Transformation (Project Head Kreowski, Hans-Jörg )
• A05 - Dynamics of Autonomous Processes: Modelling and Analysis of the Dynamics of Autonomous Logistic Processes (Project Heads Dashkovskiy, Sergey ;  Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• A07 - Autonomous product construction cycle: Method for an autonomous product construction cycle from a logistic and a technological point of view (Project Head Windt, Katja )
• B01 - Autonomously Controlled Routing in Transport Networks: Development of Methods for Autonomously Controlled Routing of Logistic Objects in Transport Networks (Project Heads Görg, Carmelita ;  Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• B02 - Adaptive Business Processes - Modelling and Methodology: Modelling Tool for the Design of Adaptive Business Processes (Project Head Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• B03 - Einsatz mobiler Kommunikationsnetze und Kommunikationsmodelle zur Unterstützung selbststeuernder Logistikprozesse (Project Head Görg, Carmelita )
• B04 - Knowledge Management: Knowledge Management Supporting Autonomous Logistic Processes (Project Heads Herzog, Otthein ;  Langer, Hagen ;  Malaka, Rainer )
• B05 - Risikomanagement für robuste Logistikprozesse (Project Heads Herzog, Otthein ;  Schumacher, Jens )
• B06 - Sensor Systems: Technological principles and application of sensor systems for autonomous logistic processes in resource-limited systems (Project Heads Lang, Walter ;  Laur, Rainer )
• B07 - Autonomous Adaption of Vehicle Schedules: Request Selection and Capacity Control in the Autonomous Adaptation of Vehicle Schedules (Project Head Kopfer, Herbert )
• B09 - Collaborative vehicle routing and scheduling: Levels and limits of autonomy of collaborative vehicle routing and scheduling (Project Head Kopfer, Herbert )
• C01 - Integration of RFID in Die Casting: Support of Autonomous Cooperating Logistic Processes for the Manufacturing of Part and Assembly Versions based on the direct Integration of RFID in Metal Parts in Example of Die Casting Technology. (Project Head Busse, Matthias )
• C02 - Data Integration: Integration of Logistics Data to support Autonomous Cooperating Logistics Processes (Project Head Thoben, Klaus-Dieter )
• T01 - Bewertung von Selbststeuerungsmethoden in der Fahrzeuglogistik (Project Head Windt, Katja )
• T02 - Verfolgung und dynamische Verfeinerung bei der Auftragszuordnung von Waren in der Bekleidungsindustrie entlang der Supply Chain unter dem Aspekt der Selbststeuerung (Project Heads Scholz-Reiter, Bernd ;  Windt, Katja )
• T03 - Entwicklung von Sensorsystemen zur selbststeuernden Lagerverwaltung von Fahrzeugen auf einem Automobil-Terminal (Project Heads Lang, Walter ;  Scholz-Reiter, Bernd ;  Windt, Katja )
• T04 - Autonome Agenten, Sensor- und Kommunikationssysteme zur Transportüberwachung im Lebensmittelbereich (Project Heads Görg, Carmelita ;  Lang, Walter )
• T06 - Autonomously controlled dispatching of rental articles (Project Head Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• T08 - Autonomous Groupage Traffic (Project Head Herzog, Otthein )
• Z01 - Coordination and Management: Central Coordination and Management of the Collaborative Research Centre (Project Heads Herzog, Otthein ;  Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• Z02 - Common Demonstrator and Application Platform for the Collaborative Research Centre (Project Head Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )
• Z03 - Integrated Graduate School of the Collaborative Research Centre (Project Heads Herzog, Otthein ;  Scholz-Reiter, Bernd )

• Applicant Institution: Universität Bremen
• Participating Institution: University of Wisconsin-Madison ; Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Participating University: Constructor University Bremen; George Mason University
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr.-Ing. Bernd Scholz-Reiter