Multi-agent-based middleware to support construction in rapid product development with an active semantic network

The special research area "Entwicklung und Erprobung innovativer Produkte - Rapid Prototyping" at the University of Stuttgart focused on the development process from the idea to the prototype. The information of the work areas taken part in the RPD process such as cost calculation, construction, etc. is linked semantically and is stored in an active semantic network (ASN). Mechanisms are offered by the employment of a multi-agent-based middleware to the RPD users, which support these in co-operation. The IT platform and the agent-based middleware are described more exactly in the full paper.