A Framework of Data-Driven Dynamic Optimisation for Smart Production Logistics

Production logistics systems in the context of manufacturing, especially in automotive sectors today, are challenged by the lack of real-time data of logistics resources, optimal configuration and management strategies of materials, and optimisation approaches of logistics operations. This turns out to be the bottleneck in achieving flexible and adaptive logistics operations. To address these challenges, this paper presents a framework of real-time data-driven dynamic optimisation schemes for production logistics systems using the combined strength of advanced technologies and decision-making algorithms. Within the context, a real-time data sensing model is developed for the timely acquisition, storage, distribution, and utilisation of equipment and process data in which sensing devices are deployed on physical shop floors. The value-added data enable production logistics processes to be digitally visible and are shared among logistics resources. A multi-agent-based optimisation scheme for production logistics systems based on real-time data is developed to obtain the optimal configuration of logistics resources. Finally, a prototype-based simulation within an automotive manufacturing shop floor is used to demonstrate the proposed conceptual framework.