Introduction to the thematic issue on Intelligent systems, applications and environments for the industry of the future

Recent advances in the area of ubiquitous computing, ambient intelligence and intelligent environments are making inroads in business-oriented application domains. This issue of JAISE addresses core topics on the design, use and evaluation of smart applications and systems for the factory of the future, an emerging trend perhaps better known as Industry 4.0. The digital transformation in the enterprise envisioned by Industry 4.0 will entwine the cyber-physical world and real world of manufacturing to deliver networked production with enhanced process transparency. Production systems, data analytics and cloud-enabled business processes will interact directly with customers to realize the ambitious goal of single lot individualized manufacturing. This thematic issue features a survey and 5 research articles which address the modeling, designing, implementation, assessment and management of intelligent systems, applications and environments that will shape and advance the smart industry of the future.status: publishe

Efficiency and Security of Process Transparency in Production Networks - A View of Expectations, Obstacles and Potentials

Much of the resilience and flexibility of production networks lies in the transparency of processes that allows timely perception of actual process states and adequate decisions or intervention at the proper point of the production system. Such degree of observability and permeability do, however, bear risks of malevolent tapping or interference with the information stream which, in the case of production systems, can put both business and physical processes at risk, requiring careful exploration of security threats in horizontal and vertical integration, and individual end-to-end connections likewise. Also, different levels of networked production present specific needs—high throughput and low time lag on the shop-floor level, or tolerances for confidence, gambling and bounded-rational views in cross-company relations—that may conflict with security policies. The paper presents a systematic summary of such apparently contradicting preferences, and possible approaches of reconciliation currently perceived to be relevant on various abstraction levels of production networks.status: publishe

Gaining insights into road traffic data through genetic improvement

We argue that Genetic Improvement can be successfully used for enhancing road traffc data mining. This would support the relevant decision makers with extending the existing network of devices that sense and control city traffc, with the end goal of improving vehicle Flow and reducing the frequency of road accidents. Our position results from a set of preliminary observations emerging from the analysis of open access road trafic data collected in real time by the Birmingham City Council