Interoperability in Industry 4.0: Communication Between Asset Administration Shells Using Registries and Endpoints

Abstract

Interoperability is essential in Industry 4.0, where diverse assets must collaborate seamlessly. The Asset Administration Shell (AAS), defined as the standardized digital twin, provides a foundation for structured communication. This paper presents an implementation of interoperability using Eclipse BaSyx registries and Python-based orchestration in a digital factory demonstrator. Independent manufacturing systems were modeled as AASs, registered dynamically, and discovered through the registry without hardcoded configurations. A lightweight proxy simplified endpoint access and enabled orchestrated workflows. Common challenges, such as malformed requests and protocol alignment, were addressed through automated descriptor registration and validation. The results show that registry-enabled AAS communication improves scalability, flexibility, and runtime adaptability, providing a practical pathway toward interoperable Industry 4.0 systems.