Maximum Likelihood and Neural Network Estimators for Distributed Production Control

Cyber-physical systems have become increasingly common in recent years, providing a multitude of information regarding production processes. At the same time, increasing volatilities, uncertainties, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) are challenging existing production control approaches for manufacturing networks. Data-driven control approaches are an avenue to address VUCA, but require further study in research and practice. We utilize a multi-agent based discrete-event simulation to compare the aptitudes of a maximum likelihood and neural network based estimator for distributed production control, and provide insights into application of machine learning to address ever increasing information and VUCA.