Development of adaptive control and engineering applications

We usually have a comfortable life, thanks to all the machines that surround us, including cars, air-conditioning, refrigerators, and PCs. To run such machines, algorithms need to be built into electronic devices. The Ohmori Lab is working on the development of such programs and their applications.

Q. "The current control systems that dont use adaptive control use controllers in advance through prior information that entails a cause and effect relationship. We think it would be good if we could create a mechanism where, after the system is switched on, it automatically observes its own cause and effect relationships, and generates input objectives to match control objectives in line with those relationships. So we started this research as one aspect of such futuristic control systems. "

Plants and animals control their shapes and organs in accordance with their environment. The Ohmori Lab has noted this adaptive control, and is working to develop systems that have parameters contained in their controllers continually recognize their environment through parameters in their control organs and make automatic adjustments based on that information. The aim is to achieve practical controllers that can even respond to unpredictable changes. The Lab is also working on many applications, notably the robust design of molecular models.

Q. "Applying this to people, for example, if Id like to work a bit longer right now, I can change the circadian rhythm by adaptive mechanism. The adaptive concept could also be applied, say, to microbes in wastewater treatment. I think adaptive control may be quite an effective method of control in various situations where cause and effect relationships change due to the environment. "

Developing systems that ascertain the current situation on the spot, and control it appropriately by themselves. If it becomes practical to design such systems, it will be possible to create living spaces that are even more comfortable for every individual.

Q. "Its said that the ultimate control system is the human body. Advances are being made in approaches that combine biology and engineering. But many things are still unknown. From the viewpoint of stability, there are still a lot of things that must be done. If we can actually do them, and apply them in many areas, that would open the way to utilizing the component technologies in a range of ways, instead of just one area. So I really hope this field of research becomes very vigorous."

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Keio
• University
• Hiromitsu
• Ohmori
• adaptive
• control