Automating human based negotiation processes for autonomic logistics

Affordability and responsiveness are two key requirements for the next generation of aircraft support systems. Aircraft have to be repaired with minimum downtime and the support process has to be economical and efficient. The vision of autonomic logistics (AL) entails a maintenance and support system that can autonomously respond to "events", e.g. problems detected on-board the aircraft. The response includes identifying the source of the problem, acquiring the correct parts and tools, locating and scheduling the right maintenance personnel. Currently, software tools and packages are available that can provide functional components for an AL system, but the integration of these does not exist yet. The paper discusses how agent technology in general and negotiation processes in particular can be applied to build an AL system. We envision a system where existing, "legacy" packages are integrated via an agent framework: a higher-level layer that ties together the packages. Agents represent tasks that need to be performed in an AL system, and they autonomously exist, navigate, and negotiate within the framework. This approach, while emphasizing automation, is not that different from existing, human processes. Even in existing maintenance organizations human negotiation is an accepted practice, which, in many cases, "makes the system work", in spite of rigid, formal rules. Thus, we envision that the autonomous, negotiation-based system will provide the required capabilities for an AL system to increase readiness and turn-around rates, and to decrease costs.