An agent-based dynamic routing strategy for automated material handling systems

An agent-based dynamic routing strategy for a generic automated material handling systems (AMHS) is developed. The strategy employs an agent-based paradigm by which the control points of a network of AMHS components are modelled as cooperating node agents. With the inherent features of route discovery, route selection and fault management of these node agents, their performance is investigated through simulation study. A generic AMHS network is modelled with a simulation tool that represents a highly flexible material handling system in a typical distribution centre where simulation studies are performed under normal and exception operating conditions. The performance of the proposed dynamic routing strategy is benchmarked with a number of static and dynamic routing strategies including the shortest distance, round robin, widest shortest route and shortest widest route strategies. The results of the simulation experiments are presented and their performance compared under a number of performance indices including the cycle time, utilization and ability to balance network loading.