Modeling cyber-physical systems – a GliderAgent 3.0 perspective

Eight years ago we have designed and implemented an initial prototype of an agent-based glider pilot support system (the GliderAgent). Our aim was to validate correctness of the initial assumption that an agent-based system, combined with sensor data, can help pilots in various situations that occur during a flight. For instance, the GliderAgent was capable of detecting certain dangers, warn the pilot and, autonomously, send notification(s) to the ground station. Due to the continuous and rapid development of mobile technologies and sensors, our initial prototype has evolved. First, we moved the system, from an emulated environment, to real devices. Second, a semantic-rule-based decision making system was integrated with the GliderAgent, to analyze feeds from sensors (altitude, temperature, blood pressure, etc.) and, based on received information, to trigger appropriate behaviors. The result of our work provided a foundations for development of a general-purpose, cyber-physical system framework, which will be described in this paper. Furthermore, the developed system illustrates an interesting approach to integration of heterogeneous IoT devices (potentially also IoT platforms).