VSM-ACT-R: Toward Using Cognitive Architecture For Manufacturing Solutions

The era of Industry 4.0 demands innovative solutions to produce high-quality products within tight lead times. This paper explores the integration of cognitive architectures (CAs) into manufacturing solutions, with a focus on using VSM-ACT-R, a cognitive architecture model built upon the ACT-R architecture. VSM-ACT-R aids in making informed decisions in smart scheduling that boosts productivity while ensuring consistent quality. The model stands out in three key aspects of decision-making in manufacturing: First, it executes tasks using decision-making algorithms and knowledge representations observed in human subjects, supported by declarative memories that reflect intuitive and domain-specific knowledge. Second, it mimics various levels of decision-making-from novice through to expert—using production rules and retrieval mechanisms that replicate variations of human behavior. Third, it simulates the learning processes of decision-makers, managed by a decision-choice control center that is driven by utility learning and reinforcement reward. We conclude by discussing an evaluation of this model, its applications, and its implications.