Developing cognitive advisor agents for operators in industry 4.0

Human cyber-physical systems (CPS) are an important component in the development of Industry 4.0. The paradigm shift of doing to thinking has allowed the emergence of cognition as a new perspective for intelligent systems. Currently, different platforms offer several cognitive solutions. Within this space, user assistance systems become increasingly necessary not as a tool but as a function that amplifies the capabilities of the operator in the work environment. There exist different perspectives of cognition. In this study cognition is introduced from the point of view of joint cognitive systems (JCSs); the synergistic combination of different technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and multi-agent systems (MAS) allows the operator and the process to provide the necessary conditions to do their work effectively and efficientlyPostprint (published version

An Agent-based approach to modelling integrated product teams undertaking a design activity.

The interactions between individual designers, within integrated product teams, and the nature of design tasks, all have a significant impact upon how well a design task can be performed, and hence the quality of the resultant product and the time in which it can be delivered. In this paper we describe an ongoing research project which aims to model integrated product teams through the use of multi-agent systems. We first describe the background and rationale for our work, and then present our initial computational model and results from the simulation of an integrated product team. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the model will evolve to improve the accuracy of the simulation

Investigating key factors influence supply chain collaborative relationship and risk management in Chinese SMEs

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyThe sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) makes a significant contribution to job position and economic growth in China. However, SMEs face various challenges and uncertainties in the Chinese business environment. This study proposes a practical approach for Supply Chain Collaborative Relationship (SCCR) building to mediate adverse impacts from supply chain risks through leveraging partners’ critical resources. The Resource-based View (RBV) and Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) are employed in line with theoretical structure building in this study. Theories of Guanxi, collaborative advantage, and risk management have also been used. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research (Mixed-Method Research) approaches are employed in the study. The investigation starts with a sample of 5 research participants from executives of Chinese SMEs using qualitative research; its results are further elaborated using a subsequent survey of 216 SMEs. Data is analyzed via thematic approach (qualitative results) and the combination of SEM and CFA modeling (quantitative results). Results show the building of SCCR contributes to highly functional and stable alliances in Chinese SMEs, which has significant influences in motivating partners’ willingness to share risks and resources to support supply chain risk management. This study furthermore manifests that building of SCCR should depend on either interpersonal and inter-organizational level interactions, while interpersonal relationships between executives has significant influence to SCCR development

Developing Cognitive Advisor Agents for Operators in Industry 4.0

Human cyber-physical systems (CPS) are an important component in the development of Industry 4.0. The paradigm shift of doing to thinking has allowed the emergence of cognition as a new perspective for intelligent systems. Currently, different platforms offer several cognitive solutions. Within this space, user assistance systems become increasingly necessary not as a tool but as a function that amplifies the capabilities of the operator in the work environment. There exist different perspectives of cognition. In this study cognition is introduced from the point of view of joint cognitive systems (JCSs); the synergistic combination of different technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and multi-agent systems (MAS) allows the operator and the process to provide the necessary conditions to do their work effectively and efficiently

A State-of-the-art Integrated Transportation Simulation Platform

Nowadays, universities and companies have a huge need for simulation and modelling methodologies. In the particular case of traffic and transportation, making physical modifications to the real traffic networks could be highly expensive, dependent on political decisions and could be highly disruptive to the environment. However, while studying a specific domain or problem, analysing a problem through simulation may not be trivial and may need several simulation tools, hence raising interoperability issues. To overcome these problems, we propose an agent-directed transportation simulation platform, through the cloud, by means of services. We intend to use the IEEE standard HLA (High Level Architecture) for simulators interoperability and agents for controlling and coordination. Our motivations are to allow multiresolution analysis of complex domains, to allow experts to collaborate on the analysis of a common problem and to allow co-simulation and synergy of different application domains. This paper will start by presenting some preliminary background concepts to help better understand the scope of this work. After that, the results of a literature review is shown. Finally, the general architecture of a transportation simulation platform is proposed