Tools Publications Scheduling and control problems in manufacturing are most often very complex and difficult to solve. Traditional approaches involve software systems that address these needs, which are equally as complex as the problems. These systems require expensive computing resources and are neither flexible nor dynamic. Most factory schedules are obsolete ten minutes after the workday begins. For several years now, the CEC has been funded by the Department of Defense and the NIST ATP program to develop innovative new solutions to problems in scheduling and control using software agent technology.
Autonomous agents have an analog in nature.
Think of an ant colony or a bee hive consisting of thousands of individuals each having a few simple behaviors yet as a group they accomplish some very amazing things without any centralized control. Similarly, on the factory floor numerous small agents representing individual machines, parts, operators and other resources are exactly what is needed to break through the complexity barriers in scheduling and control. We invite your inspection of our tools and projects. All Rights Reserved.