Improving CBR for compound design with fuzzy indexing and retrieval

This work presents the experience of combining fuzzy techniques and Case Based Reasoning methodology (CBR). This work is part of a project (P-Race) for the design and development of a tool to support the design of rubber compounds of tire treads, in order to improve performance in motor racing. The case-based approach captures the episodic knowledge characterizing most of reasoning activity of the race engineer. The fuzzy description of information and knowledge belonging to race engineers allows both its use in the retrieval of similar cases stored in the Case Memory and the definition of a method to model heuristic and qualitative knowledge to be involved in the decision making process. The P-Race system has been developed for the Motorsports Department of Pirelli Tires where it is currently integrated in the information technology environment of the company and supports the decision making process of race engineers and compound designers dedicated to the racing activity.