Addressing consumer demands: a manufacturing collaboration process using blockchain for knowledge representation

Abstract

Under I4.0, the evolution of the manufacturing processes is supported by an increase of data that is available and produced by organisations, the digitalisation of manufacturing pipelines, and a paradigm shift in production (from mass production to mass personalisation). Additionally, organisations need to gather the necessary conditions to ensure their quick adaptation to a changing environment and replace reactiveness for proactivity. Collaboration can act as the foundation to an answer for the increase demand for customised products, with an open and transparent environment where information is shared, and actors can work together to solve a common problem. In this work we propose a model definition for an industrial collaboration network composed by a network of entities, with reasoning and interaction, that uses a blockchain for knowledge representation. Current definitions of MAS already include a representation of equipment, transportation, products, and organisations; our contribution proposes the inclusion of the consumer, represented by an agent, directly in the manufacturing process. This agent represents the preferences and needs of the consumer in product customisation scenarios which, together with the other agents, negotiate criteria and cooperate with each other. The network is composed by distinct types of agents, across multiple organisations, that share common objectives. We use Hyperledger Fabric to represent knowledge, assuring that the data is stored and shared with all entities, while keeping the information secure and assuring that it cannot be tampered with.