An Approach to Cognition in Factory Automation by applying Functional Systems Theory

This paper reports initial views on adapting the structure of intelligent systems from the domain of psychobiology to the domain of factory automation. It is postulated that psychobiology may inspire the solution in architecting of intelligent and reconfigurable manufacturing systems, rather than adapting the preconceived factory automation systems to implement intelligence. The Theory of Functional Systems, which is claimed to solve the known body-mind problem, is introduced as a model of cognitive and decision-making systems, derived from the field of neuroscience and psychology. In addition, principles of human orienting activity are proposed for implementing autonomous decision-making behavior, utilizing multiple decentralized elements that suggest actions.