Realization of AI-enhanced industrial automation systems using intelligent Digital Twins

A requirement of future industrial automation systems is the application of intelligence in the context of their optimization, adaptation and reconfiguration . This paper begins with an introduction of the definition of (artificial) intelligence to derive a framework for artificial intelligence enhanced industrial automation systems : An artificial intelligence component is connected with the industrial automation system's control unit and other entities through a series of standardized interfaces for data and information exchange. This framework is then put into context of the intelligent Digital Twin architecture, highlight the latter as a possible implementation of such systems. Concluding, a prototypical implementation on the basis of a modular cyber-physical production system is described. The intelligent Digital Twin realized this way provides the four fundamental sub-processes of intelligence, namely observation, analysis, reasoning and action. A detailed description of all technologies used is given.