Application of a three-component evaluation system for autonomous control in logistics

Autonomous control of logistic systems is a potential solution to the problems encountered in modern competitor marketplaces. Autonomous control in a logistic system is characterized by the ability of logistic objects (e. g. order, pallet, machine) to process information in order to render and execute decisions on their own. In order to determine the limitations of autonomy an evaluation system is needed which is presented in this paper. The evaluation system is created by three components which can be combined to analyse the potential of autonomous control. This potential is visualized by the result of the evaluation procedure with the help of a three-dimensional (3D) diagram built from single curves. Simulation studies are used to verify the surface of the 3D diagram and highlight the limitations of the autonomous control approach. All the varied parameters (level of autonomous control, level of complexity, and level of logistic objective achievement) are described and measured in the simulation study.