Product Agent Concept Based on Feature Modelling and JavaCard Implementation

This paper describes research currently being carried out in the area of holonic systems. The work presented deals with the idea that process management (manufacturing, repairing, etc.) may be achieved by human operators or automated systems, but also by the product carrying and managing its own information. Each product can act as an autonomous entity embedding its own information and decision-making algorithms throughout its life cycle in the different environments encountered. The concept developed is applied to a simple product which is specified using a feature-based design paradigm and implemented using JavaCard TM technology.