LAUSR

Abstract Real-time state detection in logistics supports efficient control and monitoring of logistics processes. State detection is performed via sensor-based technologies that are attached to logistics objects or to elements of the logistics system. Besides other technologies, image-based sensor systems have already proven their potential to fulfill this task. Within the development of image-based sensor systems, a suitable combination of processing modules (e.g. cameras, lighting, algorithms, hardware) have to be found with which state variables can be detected in a specific process environment, which is often characterized by non-cooperative measurement situations, such as poor lighting conditions. This complexity results in a high number of test cases, which are typically performed in laboratory environments within a prototyping stage. This approach involves considerable effort. In order to mitigate this problem, the paper proposes the application of virtual commissioning of image-based information systems for state detection in logistics processes. Virtual commissioning can simplify data acquisition of different sensor configurations and subsequent early evaluation of algorithmic models for state detection in logistics processes and thus accelerate design, implementation and testing of image-based information systems for specific environments. However, major challenges such as the variety of tools and expert roles and the integration of virtual commissioning into a process model remain and must be solved in order to establish virtual commissioning of image-based information systems in logistics.