Autonomous Nervous

System and its

Functions for a
Logistics System

BY PRASOB PRABHAKARAN
(0924976/1)
Contents

1) Definition
2) Role of Autonomy
3) Functions
4) Autonomic systems model
5) Autonomy in logistics
6) Conclusion
 DEFINITION

Autonomic nervous system-

In science “it is defined as a control
system functioning largely below the
level of consciousness, and control
the visceral functions or can be
called as Involuntary actions in the
body.
(Ref : Dorland's medical dictionary)
From the Organization point of view
“It can be defined as the activity
which is needed to maintain a
stable environment”.

(Ref : Stafford Beer: Brain of the firm,

page-103)
 Autonomy helps to achieve -

1) Sensible use of manpower

2) Proper loading of machinery
3) Intelligent manipulation of stock
4) Control of maintenance
5) Observance of Quality standards
6) Exercise of an appropriate degree of
inspection
Role of Autonomic system in
an Organisation

1) Balanced Environment
2) Uncertainty
3) Control (Non -Hierarchical)
4) Communication
5) Decisions making for Future
6) Identifying deviations
Autonomic or Viable system
model(Stafford Beer 1980’s)

(fig-1)
Fig-2 (Stafford Beer 1980’s)
 Advantages

1) Functional Decentralisation
2) Cohesion
3) Flexibility
4) Adaptability
5) True autonomy & Empowerment
 Functions for achieving
Autonomy or Viability

 1) Implementation
 2) Coordination
 3) Control
 4) Intelligence
 5) Policy
Autonomy in Logistics

“ Collaborative research centre 637,Bremen “

Developed “ Autonomous System for logistics”
 Autonomous unit may be any component of
logistics system that plays a specific role,
performs some action or carries some
information.
In the context of transport logistics, it may be a
vehicle, or container, a freight item or RFID tag.
(Ref : article by Hans;jeorg krewoski,University of Bremen)
Process-
Tools of Autonomous System
1)Intellegent
Container
2)Software
Platform
approved by FIPA
3)RFID tracking
4)Wireless sensor
network
5)GPS
Example-1
Example-2
Impact

 Decentralized decision making

 Flexibility
 Overcoming Risk
 Reduction in costs
 Right time Delivery
 Better response
 Correcting deviations on time
Disadvantages

 High cost for Software

 Highly skilled workers needed for

maintainence.

 Not applicable for certain places

Conclusion

For a complex Organisation its areas must be

autonomous-to the changing situation as
they can go out of control due to changes
in
1) External environment
3) some input is changed for internal reason.

Autonomy provides solution to overcome this

kind of difficult situations and be reliable.
Reference
1) Dorland medical dictionary.
2) Stafford Beer : Brain of the Firm, page 103.
3) Stafford Beer : Diagnosing the system of
the Organisations.
4) this article as: Windt K, et al. Autonomy in
production logistics: Identification,
characterisation and application. Robot
Comput Integr Manuf (2007),
doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2007.07.008
 R. Espejo and R. Harnden, The Viable Systems
Model -Interpretations and Applications of
Stafford Beer’s VSM, Wiley, Chichester
(1989).
 Monostori, L. (ed.): Proc. 37th CIRP
International Seminar on Manufacturing
Systems. Hungarian Academy of Science,
 Budapest, Hungaria, 2004, pp. 357