Two-Stage Market-Based Task Allocation for Blockchain-Based Cyber-Physical Production Systems

As Multi-Agent Systems, Cyber-Physical Production Systems (CPPS) require mechanisms for the allocation of tasks to multiple agents such as workstations or mobile robots. One approach is market-based task allocation (TA) which faces challenges related to fraud and intransparency. Integrating blockchain technology (BCT) into TA enables transparency and tamper resistance. It also allows for the downstream integration of financial transactions in CPPS. This paper proposes a method for two-stage market-based TA in CPPS enabled by BCT. A formal definition for a reverse first-price-sealed-bid auction including the payment process is presented for the blockchain-based two-stage auctioning in a CPPS. The proposed method is implemented in a prototype and tested with a focus on scalability. Transaction times and costs are considered within the experiments. The evaluation reveals that the proposed process is functionable and that financial transactions can be completely automated within CPPS. The time and gas usage of transactions scale in most scenarios and only take a few seconds for completion.