The use of agent-based systems may offer significant
advantages over centralized hierarchical manufacturing
systems, including distribution of control/processing and
data as well as adaptable automated or semiautomated problem
solving. However, simply applying any agent-based paradigm
to manufacturing domains may not be enough to address the
various demands of these domains. Manufacturing domains
require agent-based problem solving to be flexible
and tolerant of faulty information (e.g., due
to faulty sensors), equipments, and communication links.
These issues are addressed by research on Sensible Agents,
capable of 1) Dynamic Adaptive Autonomy and 2) explicit
Perspective Modeling. Dynamic Adaptive Autonomy allows
Sensible Agents to change problem-solving roles during
system operation to address dynamic factory floor conditions,
while Perspective Models internal to a respective Sensible
Agent serve to maintain knowledge about the agent itself,
other agents, and the environment. The application of the
Sensible Agent paradigm to a shop-floor control is demonstrated.