Generative Optimisation of Resilient Drone Logistic Networks

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach to the gener-ative design optimisation of a resilient Drone Logistic Network (DLN) for the delivery of medical equipment in Scotland. A DLN is a complex system composed of a high number of different classes of drones and ground infrastructures. The corresponding DLN model is composed of a number of interconnected digital twins of each one of these infrastructures and vehicles, forming a single digital twin of the whole logistic network. The paper proposes a multi-agent bio-inspired optimisation approach based on the analogy with the Physarum Policefalum slime mould that incrementally generates and optimise the DLN. A graph theory methodology is also employed to evaluate the network resilience where random failures, and their cascade effect, are simulated. The different conflicting objectives are aggregated into a single global performance index by using Pascoletti-Serafini scalarisation.