This monograph describes a new family of algorithms for the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem in robotics, called FastSLAM. The FastSLAM-type algorithms have enabled robots to acquire maps of unprecedented size and accuracy, in a number of robot application domains and have been successfully applied in different dynamic environments, including a solution to the problem of people tracking.

This book presents hardware-efficient algorithms and FPGA implementations for two robotic tasks, namely exploration and landmark determination. The work identifies scenarios for mobile robotics where parallel processing and selective shutdown offered by FPGAs are invaluable. The book proceeds to systematically develop memory-driven VLSI architectures for both the tasks. The architectures are ported to a low-cost FPGA with a fairly small number of system gates.

This book provides the most important steps and concerns in the design of estimation and control algorithms for induction motors. A single notation and modern nonlinear control terminology is used to make the book accessible, although a more theoretical control viewpoint is also given. Focusing on the induction motor with, the concepts of stability and nonlinear control theory given in appendices, this book covers: speed sensorless control; design of adaptive observers and parameter estimators; a discussion of nonlinear adaptive controls containing parameter estimation algorithms; and comparative simulations of different control algorithms. The book sets out basic assumptions, structural properties, modelling, state feedback control and estimation algorithms, then moves to more complex output feedback control algorithms, based on stator current measurements, and modelling for speed sensorless control. The induction motor exhibits many typical and unavoidable nonlinear features.

Modeling and Control of Batch Processes presents state-of-the-art techniques ranging from mechanistic to data-driven models. These methods are specifically tailored to handle issues pertinent to batch processes, such as nonlinear dynamics and lack of online quality measurements. In particular, the book proposes: a novel batch control design with well characterized feasibility properties; a modeling approach that unites multi-model and partial least squares techniques; a generalization of the subspace identification approach for batch processes; and applications to several detailed case studies, ranging from a complex simulation test bed to industrial data. The book's proposed methodology employs statistical tools, such as partial least squares and subspace identification, and couples them with notions from state-space-based models to provide solutions to the quality control problem for batch processes. Practical implementation issues are discussed to help readers understand the application of the methods in greater depth. The book includes numerous comments and remarks providing insight and fundamental understanding into the modeling and control of batch processes. Modeling and Control of Batch Processes includes many detailed examples of industrial relevance that can be tailored by process control engineers or researchers to a specific application. The book is also of interest to graduate students studying control systems, as it contains new research topics and references to significant recent work. Advances in Industrial Control reports and encourages the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.

This book presents recent advances in robot control theory on task space sensory feedback control of robot manipulators. By using sensory feedback information, the robot control systems are robust to various uncertainties in modelling and calibration errors of the sensors. Several sensory task space control methods that do not require exact knowledge of either kinematics or dynamics of robots, are presented. Some useful methods such as approximate Jacobian control, adaptive Jacobian control, region control and multiple task space regional feedback are included. These formulations and methods give robots a high degree of flexibility in dealing with unforeseen changes and uncertainties in its kinematics and dynamics, which is similar to human reaching movements and tool manipulation. It also leads to the solution of several long-standing problems and open issues in robot control, such as force control with constraint uncertainty, control of multi-fingered robot hand with uncertain contact points, singularity issue of Jacobian matrix, global task-space control, which are also presented in this book. The target audience for this book includes scientists, engineers and practitioners involved in the field of robot control theory.

Networked and Distributed Predictive Control presents rigorous, yet practical, methods for the design of networked and distributed predictive control systems - the first book to do so. The design of model predictive control systems using Lyapunov-based techniques accounting for the influence of asynchronous and delayed measurements is followed by a treatment of networked control architecture development. This shows how networked control can augment dedicated control systems in a natural way and takes advantage of additional, potentially asynchronous and delayed measurements to maintain closed loop stability and significantly to improve closed-loop performance. The text then shifts focus to the design of distributed predictive control systems that cooperate efficiently in computing optimal manipulated input trajectories that achieve desired stability, performance and robustness specifications but spend a fraction of the time required by centralized control systems. Key features of this book include: * new techniques for networked and distributed control system design; * insight into issues associated with networked and distributed predictive control and their solution; * detailed appraisal of industrial relevance using computer simulation of nonlinear chemical process networks and wind- and solar-energy-generation systems; and * integrated exposition of novel research topics and rich resource of references to significant recent work. A full understanding of Networked and Distributed Predictive Control requires a basic knowledge of differential equations, linear and nonlinear control theory and optimization methods and the book is intended for academic researchers and graduate students studying control and for process control engineers. The constant attention to practical matters associated with implementation of the theory discussed will help each of these groups understand the application of the book's methods in greater depth.

Multisensor fusion systems are only practical if the algorithms used are practical and effective, and if there is efficient database support. The first part of this book discusses a wide range of issues related to the development of robust, context-sensitive, and efficient data fusion algorithms. The second part addresses database requirements, structures, and issues related to achieving overall computational efficiency. Featuring highly accessible notation, the processing model and database issues presented in the text are aimed at system developers working in sensor fusion, automatic target recognition, multiple-target tracking, robotic control, automated image understanding, and large-scale integration and fabrication.

This book reports on an outstanding research devoted to modeling and control of dynamic systems using fractional-order calculus. It describes the development of model-based control design methods for systems described by fractional dynamic models. More than 300 years had passed since Newton and Leibniz developed a set of mathematical tools we now know as calculus. Ever since then the idea of non-integer derivatives and integrals, universally referred to as fractional calculus, has been of interest to many researchers. However, due to various issues, the usage of fractional-order models in real-life applications was limited. Advances in modern computer science made it possible to apply efficient numerical methods to the computation of fractional derivatives and integrals. This book describes novel methods developed by the author for fractional modeling and control, together with their successful application in real-world process control scenarios.

This book presents and develops new reinforcement learning methods that enable fast and robust learning on robots in real-time. Robots have the potential to solve many problems in society, because of their ability to work in dangerous places doing necessary jobs that no one wants or is able to do. One barrier to their widespread deployment is that they are mainly limited to tasks where it is possible to hand-program behaviors for every situation that may be encountered. For robots to meet their potential, they need methods that enable them to learn and adapt to novel situations that they were not programmed for. Reinforcement learning (RL) is a paradigm for learning sequential decision making processes and could solve the problems of learning and adaptation on robots. This book identifies four key challenges that must be addressed for an RL algorithm to be practical for robotic control tasks. These RL for Robotics Challenges are: 1) it must learn in very few samples; 2) it must learn in domains with continuous state features; 3) it must handle sensor and/or actuator delays; and 4) it should continually select actions in real time. This book focuses on addressing all four of these challenges. In particular, this book is focused on time-constrained domains where the first challenge is critically important. In these domains, the agent's lifetime is not long enough for it to explore the domains thoroughly, and it must learn in very few samples.

This book contains selected papers that address a variety of topics related to the design, development and operation of unmanned and fully autonomous sailing boats. These papers were presented in the 9th International Robotic Sailing Conference, in association with the 9th World Robotic Sailing Championship that took place in Viana do Castelo, Portugal from the 5th to 10th of September 2016. The book is divided in three parts, each focusing on key aspects of robotic sailing. The first part addresses the design, construction and validation of autonomous sailboat platforms, including their rigs, appendages and control mechanisms. The second part is devoted to the development of sensors and algorithms to enhance the performance of robotic sailing boats, in terms of their speed, course control and manoeuvring ability. Finally, the papers in the last part are dedicated to the improvement of behaviours required for the accomplishment of complex autonomous missions. Robotic sailing is a relatively new multidisciplinary area of research, with a recognized great potential for persistent ocean observation. Using the wind for boat propulsion is something mankind has been doing for centuries. Automating and optimizing the sailing process in the harsh marine environment is an ever present challenge which is now promising to bear fruit.

This book presents, in a comprehensive way, current unmanned aviation regulation, airworthiness certification, special aircraft categories, pilot certification, federal aviation requirements, operation rules, airspace classes and regulation development models. It discusses unmanned aircraft systems levels of safety derived mathematically based on the corresponding levels for manned aviation. It provides an overview of the history and current status of UAS airworthiness and operational regulation worldwide. Existing regulations have been developed considering the need for a complete regulatory framework for UAS. It focuses on UAS safety assessment and functional requirements, achieved in terms of defining an "Equivalent Level of Safety," or ELOS, with that of manned aviation, specifying what the ELOS requirement entails for UAS regulations. To accomplish this, the safety performance of manned aviation is first evaluated, followed by a novel model to derive reliability requirements for achieving target levels of safety (TLS) for ground impact and mid-air collision accidents.It discusses elements of a viable roadmap leading to UAS integration in to the NAS. For this second edition of the book almost all chapters include major updates and corrections. There is also a new appendix chapter.

An instructive reference that will help control researchers and engineers, interested in a variety of industrial processes, to take advantage of a powerful tuning method for the ever-popular PID control paradigm. This monograph presents explicit PID tuning rules for linear control loops regardless of process complexity. It shows the reader how such loops achieve zero steady-position, velocity, and acceleration errors and are thus able to track fast reference signals. The theoretical development takes place in the frequency domain by introducing a general-transfer-function-known process model and by exploiting the principle of the magnitude optimum criterion. It is paralleled by the presentation of real industrial control loops used in electric motor drives. The application of the proposed tuning rules to a large class of processes shows that irrespective of the complexity of the controlled process the shape of the step and frequency response of the control loop exhibits a specific performance. This specific performance, along with the PID explicit solution, formulates the basis for developing an automatic tuning method for the PID controller parameters which is a problem often met in many industry applications-temperature, pH, and humidity control, ratio control in product blending, and boiler-drum level control, for example. The process of the model is considered unknown and controller parameters are tuned automatically such that the aforementioned performance is achieved. The potential both for the explicit tuning rules and the automatic tuning method is demonstrated using several examples for benchmark process models recurring frequently in many industry applications.

A complete solution for problems of vibration control in structures that may be subject to a broadband primary vibration field, this book addresses the following steps: experimental identification of the dynamic model of the structure; optimal placement of sensors and actuators; formulation of control constraints in terms of controller frequency response shape; controller design and simulation; and controller implementation and rapid prototyping. The identification procedure is a gray-box approach tailored to the estimation of modal parameters of large-scale flexible structures. The actuator/sensor placement algorithm maximizes a modal controllability index improving the effectiveness of the control. Considering limitations of sensors and actuators, the controller is chosen as a stable, band-pass MIMO system resulting from the closed-form solution of a robust control problem. Experimental results on an aeronautical stiffened skin panel are presented using rapid-prototyping hardware.

Aero and Vibroacoustics of Automotive Turbochargers is a topic involving aspects from the working fields of thermodynamics of turbomachinery, aerodynamics, rotordynamics, and noise propagation computation. In this broadly interdisciplinary subject, thermodynamics of turbomachinery is used to design the turbocharger and to determine its operating conditions. Aerodynamics is needed to study the compressor flow dynamics and flow instabilities of rotating stall and surge, which can produce growling and whining-type noises. Rotordynamics is necessary to study rotor unbalance and self-excited oil-whirl instabilities, which lead to whistling and constant tone-type noises in rotating floating oil-film type bearings. For the special case of turbochargers using ball bearings, some high-order harmonic and wear noises also manifest in the rotor operating range. Lastly, noise propagation computation, based on Lighthill's analogy, is required to investigate airborne noises produced by turbochargers in passenger vehicles. The content of this book is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduates in mechanical engineering, research scientists and practicing engineers who want to better understand the interactions between these working fields and the resulting impact on the interesting topic of Aero and Vibroacoustics of Automotive Turbochargers.

The model-based investigation of motions of anthropomorphic systems is an important interdisciplinary research topic involving specialists from many fields such as Robotics, Biomechanics, Physiology, Orthopedics, Psychology, Neurosciences, Sports, Computer Graphics and Applied Mathematics. This book presents a study of basic locomotion forms such as walking and running is of particular interest due to the high demand on dynamic coordination, actuator efficiency and balance control. Mathematical models and numerical simulation and optimization techniques are explained, in combination with experimental data, which can help to better understand the basic underlying mechanisms of these motions and to improve them. Example topics treated in this book are * Modeling techniques for anthropomorphic bipedal walking systems * Optimized walking motions for different objective functions * Identification of objective functions from measurements * Simulation and optimization approaches for humanoid robots * Biologically inspired control algorithms for bipedal walking * Generation and deformation of natural walking in computer graphics * Imitation of human motions on humanoids * Emotional body language during walking * Simulation of biologically inspired actuators for bipedal walking machines * Modeling and simulation techniques for the development of prostheses * Functional electrical stimulation of walking.

One of the greatest challenges for mechanical engineers is to extend the success of computational mechanics to fields outside traditional engineering, in particular to biology, biomedical sciences, and medicine.This book is an opportunity for computational biomechanics specialists to present and exchange opinions on the opportunities of applying their techniques to computer-integrated medicine.

"Computational Biomechanics for Medicine: Deformation and Flow" collects the papers from the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention conference (MICCAI 2011) dedicated to research in the field of medical image computing and computer assisted medical interventions. The topics covered include: medical image analysis, image-guided surgery, surgical simulation, surgical intervention planning, disease prognosis and diagnostics, injury mechanism analysis, implant and prostheses design, andmedical robotics."

Discrete Control Systems establishes a basis for the analysis and design of discretized/quantized control systems for continuous physical systems. Beginning with the necessary mathematical foundations and system-model descriptions, the text moves on to derive a robust stability condition. To keep a practical perspective on the uncertain physical systems considered, most of the methods treated are carried out in the frequency domain. As part of the design procedure, modified Nyquist-Hall and Nichols diagrams are presented and discretized proportional-integral-derivative control schemes are reconsidered. Schemes for model-reference feedback and discrete-type observers are proposed. Although single-loop feedback systems form the core of the text, some consideration is given to multiple loops and nonlinearities. The robust control performance and stability of interval systems (with multiple uncertainties) are outlined. Finally, the monograph describes the relationship between feedback-control and discrete event systems. The nonlinear phenomena associated with practically important event-driven systems are elucidated. The dynamics and stability of finite-state and discrete-event systems are defined. Academic researchers interested in the uses of discrete modelling and control of continuous systems will find Discrete Control Systems instructive. The inclusion of end-of-chapter problems also makes the book suitable for use in self study either by professional control engineers or graduate students supplementing a more formal regimen of learning.

This volume is a collection of research studies on the modeling of emotions in complex autonomous systems. Several experts in the field are reporting their efforts and reviewing the literature in order to shed lights on how the processes of coding and decoding emotional states took place in humans, which are the physiological, physical, and psychological variables involved, invent new mathematical models and algorithms to describe them, and motivate these investigations in the light of observable societal changes and needs, such as the aging population and the cost of health care services. The consequences are the implementation of emotionally and socially believable machines, acting as helpers into domestic spheres, where emotions drive behaviors and actions. The contents of the book are highly multidisciplinary since the modeling of emotions in robotic socially believable systems requires a holistic perspective on topics coming from different research domains such as computer science, engineering, sociology, psychology, linguistic, and information communication. The book is of interest both to experts and students since last research works on a so complex multidisciplinary topic are described in a neat and didactical scientific language.

This book presents a domain of extreme industrial and scientific interest: the study of smart systems and structures. It presents polytope projects as comprehensive physical and cognitive architectures that support the investigation, fabrication and implementation of smart systems and structures. These systems feature multifunctional components that can perform sensing, control, and actuation. In light of the fact that devices, tools, methodologies and organizations based on electronics and information technology for automation, specific to the third industrial revolution, are increasingly reaching their limits, it is essential that smart systems be implemented in industry. Polytope projects facilitate the utilization of smart systems and structures as key elements of the fourth industrial revolution. The book begins by presenting polytope projects as a reference architecture for cyber-physical systems and smart systems, before addressing industrial process synthesis in Chapter 2. Flow-sheet trees, cyclic separations and smart configurations for multi-component separations are discussed here. In turn, Chapter 3 highlights periodic features for drug delivery systems and networks of chemical reactions, while Chapter 4 applies conditioned random walks to polymers and smart materials structures. Chapter 5 examines self-assembly and self-reconfiguration at different scales from molecular to micro systems. Smart devices and technologies are the focus of chapter 6. Modular micro reactor systems and timed automata are examined in selected case studies. Chapter 7 focuses on inferential engineering designs, concept-knowledge, relational concept analysis and model driven architecture, while Chapter 8 puts the spotlight on smart manufacturing, industry 4.0, reference architectures and models for new product development and testing. Lastly, Chapter 9 highlights the polytope projects methodology and the prospects for smart systems and structures. Focusing on process engineering and mathematical modeling for the fourth industrial revolution, the book offers a unique resource for engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs working in chemical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, materials science or systems chemistry, students in various domains of production and engineering, and applied mathematicians.

This book introduces the reader in a systematical way to the design philosophy behind vector control systems. The mathematical motor models based on complex-space vector descriptions as well as the control structures for DC motors provide a perfect basis for explaining the principles of AC motor vector control. An in-depth review of electromagnetic transients in induction motors under various methods of frequency control is given. This is explained with the help of appropriate block schemes and new equivalent circuits. Properties of AC motors under non-sinusoidal supply are reviewed. The basic power converter topologies applied in motor control technology as well as symmetry and loss reduction problems are discussed. Some examples of controller design methods are presented step by step. An important feature of the book is that it contains many examples of systems applied in practical engineering as well as simulation and experimental results. The volume will be of interest to all those familiar with the basics of electrical machines and control systems theory. Therefore, it is recommended to students of electrical, electronics and mechanics departments. The book can also be used by those working in industry, who are interested in modern power electronics, drives and motion control, robotics as well as automation of industrial processes.

This volume presents a collection of research studies on sophisticated and functional computational instruments able to recognize, process, and store relevant situated interactional signals, as well as, interact with people, displaying reactions (under conditions of limited time) that show abilities of appropriately sensing and understanding environmental changes, producing suitable, autonomous, and adaptable responses to various social situations. These social robotic autonomous systems will improve the quality of life of their end-users while assisting them on several needs, ranging from educational settings, health care assistance, communicative disorders, and any disorder impairing either their physical, cognitive, or social functional activities. The multidisciplinary themes presented in the volume will be interesting for experts and students coming from different research fields and with different knowledge and backgrounds. The research reported is particularly relevant for academic centers, and Research & Development Institutions.

The book covers a comprehensive overview of the theory, methods, applications and tools of cognition and recognition. The book is a collection of best selected papers presented in the International Conference on Cognition and Recognition 2016 (ICCR 2016) and helpful for scientists and researchers in the field of image processing, pattern recognition and computer vision for advance studies. Nowadays, researchers are working in interdisciplinary areas and the proceedings of ICCR 2016 plays a major role to accumulate those significant works at one place. The chapters included in the proceedings inculcates both theoretical as well as practical aspects of different areas like nature inspired algorithms, fuzzy systems, data mining, signal processing, image processing, text processing, wireless sensor networks, network security and cellular automata.

Presenting current trends in the development and applications of intelligent systems in engineering, this monograph focuses on recent research results in system identification and control. The recurrent neurofuzzy and the fuzzy cognitive network (FCN) models are presented.Both models are suitable for partially-known or unknown complex time-varying systems. Neurofuzzy Adaptive Control contains rigorous proofs of its statements which result in concrete conclusions for the selection of the design parameters of the algorithms presented. The neurofuzzy model combines concepts from fuzzy systems and recurrent high-order neural networks to produce powerful system approximations that are used for adaptive control. The FCN modelstems from fuzzy cognitive maps and uses the notion of concepts and their causal relationships to capture the behavior of complex systems. The book shows how, with the benefit of proper training algorithms, these models are potent system emulators suitable for use in engineering systems.All chapters are supported by illustrative simulation experiments, while separate chapters are devoted to the potential industrial applications of each model including projects in:

contemporary power generation;

process control and

conventional benchmarking problems.

Researchers and graduate students working in adaptive estimation and intelligent control will find Neurofuzzy Adaptive Control of interest both for the currency of its models and because it demonstrates their relevance for real systems. The monograph also shows industrial engineers how to test intelligent adaptive control easily using proven theoretical results."