ABSTRACT
In automation, mechanical units are more and more replaced by electronic components. ¥ey contain sensors, actuators, and information computing systems. ¥e goal is to achieve higher process and product quality. ¥is means, e.g., to increase the performance by implementing more functionality. Systems become interconnected, which causes increased complexity-something that cannot easily be handled with traditional technological approaches. It is necessary to rethink existing approaches and ¦nd new solutions. ¥ese can be found in statistical models, hierarchical models, and bionic models. ¥is chapter reviews recent research results about methods to reduce the eªort for commission, maintenance, and operation of the system. Statistical models are used to automatically derive normal operation conditions. Hierarchical models help in abstracting information from the mere sensor values to semantic concepts that are also used in human thinking and conversation. In the bionic research direction, contemporary researchers like Mark Solms and Antonio R. Damasio build upon psychoanalysis, which could be such a new approach for engineers. ¥e theories are widely unknown to engineers, still their methods, which originate from neurology, are partly similar to the methods of computer technology.
