Generic planning and control of automated material handling systems: Practical requirements versus existing theory

This paper discusses the problem of generic planning and control of Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHSs). The paper illustrates the relevance of this research direction, and then addresses three different market sectors where AMHSs are used. These market sectors are: baggage handling, distribution, and parcel & postal. Research in these sectors is heavily motivated by a collaboration between the authors and a major global company supplying AMHSs. The paper analyzes requirements from practice for a generic control architecture, and then reviews literature to investigate whether answers can be found for practical requirements. Next, the paper confronts theory with practice, and concludes that there is still much work to be done in this area. The paper takes the initiative to define a research direction in concrete terms, pinpoints problems to work on, and proposes an agenda for future research.