AI Planning Versus Manufacturing-Operation Planning: A Case Study

Abstract

Although AI planning techniques can potentially be useful in several manufacturing domains, this potential remains largely unrealized. In order to adapt AI planning techniques to manufacturing, it is important to develop more realistic and robust ways to address issues important to manufacturing engineers. Furthermore, by investigating such issues, AI researchers may be able to discover principles that are relevant for AI planning in general. As an example, in this paper we describe the techniques for manufacturing-operation planning used in IMACS (Interactive Manufacturability Analysis and Critiquing System), and compare and contrast them with the techniques used in classical AI planning systems. We describe how one of IMACS's planning techniques may be useful for AI planning in general -- and as an example, we describe how it helps to explain a puzzling complexity result in AI planning.