Using wfmc with Python 3.6 and asyncio?

[zopyx]

I am currently evaluating workflow system in the context of modular production. An entity in this context is a "station" that can perform a particular task. The most simple workflow is a two-state workflow IDLE -> FINISHED. The application code tied to the IDLE activity is supposed to be a longer running external action. I tried to implement the a prototype similar to this:

async def external_task():
    await asyncio.sleep(10)    # or await some event trigger from outside


class ApplicationBase():

    def start(self, args):
         await external_task()

This is obviously not working because start() is not defined as async def start(). Defining start() as async will not execute the start() method.

The more general question would be: we have different entities like STATION, PRODUCT etc. - each with a different workflow definition and there will be numerous instances of STATION and PRODUCT.
The workflows and their application code should processes side-by-side smoothly (as noted: the external application would be usually only await for external events and would not process expensive operations.)