Knowledge-based Middleware as an Architecture for Planning and Scheduling Systems

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We present an architecture that provides a robust, scalable and flexible software framework for planning and scheduling systems through the use of standardized industrial-strength middleware and multi-agent technology. It utilizes knowledge-based components that dynamically perform and verify the system's configuration. The system is based on a proper formal account of hybrid planning, the integration of HTN and POCL planning, which allows to decouple flaw detection, modification computation, and search control. In adopting this methodology, planning and scheduling capabilities can be easily combined by orchestrating respective elementary modules and strategies without jeopardizing system consistency through interfering module activity.