World-Model-Aware Responsibility Allocation in Heterogeneous Logistics Systems

2026-07-16

AI Summary

This study addresses decision conflicts and deadlocks arising from inconsistent world models between a central controller and autonomous devices in mixed-autonomy logistics systems, a challenge poorly handled by conventional scheduling approaches. The authors propose the World-Model-Aware Responsibility Framework (WMARF), which uniquely leverages the quality of world models as a basis for dynamic authority delegation. By continuously adjusting decision-making authority according to device autonomy levels and classifying authority states to proactively identify and avoid deadlocks, WMARF overcomes the limitations of static permission schemes and supports evolving system autonomy. Validated through discrete-event simulation adhering to the VDA 5050 standard and employing a proximity-triggered authority handover mechanism, the framework successfully prevents model-discrepancy-induced deadlocks in scenarios where two autonomous vehicles approach a semi-automated transfer point under static control.

Abstract

Logistics systems increasingly mix \emph{autonomous logistic equipment} (ALE) with non-autonomous machinery under a central control system (CS), where the best decision-maker depends on who holds the most current world model, yet authority is fixed at design time. When an ALE's local model and the CS global model diverge, both act on incompatible beliefs and produce deadlocks that resource-based handling neither explains nor prevents. We propose the World-Model-Aware Responsibility Framework (WMARF), which assigns authority dynamically from CS world-model quality and equipment automation level, and classifies deadlocks by the state of authority -- none, in transition, or divergent. In a discrete-event simulation of two ALE converging on a semi-automated transfer point, reproduced over the VDA~5050 interface, a divergence deadlock under static control is prevented by a proximity-triggered handoff. Because authority follows information quality rather than a shared protocol, the scheme stays valid as autonomy grows.

Problem

• world model
• responsibility allocation
• heterogeneous logistics systems
• deadlock
• autonomous logistic equipment

Innovation

• World-Model-Aware
• Responsibility Allocation
• Autonomous Logistic Equipment
• Deadlock Prevention
• Dynamic Authority