NewVectors Projects

Agent Network for Task Scheduling (ANTS)

Most factory scheduling systems seek the optimum schedule for an assumed stable configuration and cannot react rapidly to changes in resources. Moreover, most are not integrated into a unified system for task monitoring, scheduling, simulation and execution. NewVectors’ Agent Network for Task Scheduling (ANTS) project will improve on existing systems by validating a new task scheduling and execution system in which software agents represent factory resources, systems and jobs. A software agent is an autonomous software code that takes independent action in response to local conditions. Software agents generate flexible, responsive system behavior.

NewVectors’ ANTS system will continuously adapt to new conditions rather than simply finding an optimum schedule, which is meaningless in a dynamic environment. The ANTS system will adjust schedules in line with resources, assist in recovery from faults in the factory and management interruptions in the supply chain, and dispatch work against the schedule, thereby streamlining the flow of material and services from an integrated supply chain. The system will be opportunity-based, in contrast with some of the newer constraint-based scheduling systems. The agents can be upgraded independently as new functions are needed or new algorithms are discovered.