A multi-disciplinary approach to intelligent control systems research, development and engineering

The Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory was established in 1991 with the goal of advancing control systems research by:

• researching into innovative control systems solutions to manage complex dynamic systems and their processes in uncertain environments;
• undertaking multidisciplinary research in partnership with both scientists and practitioners;
• designing solutions with the needs of industry in mind; and
• educating students and keeping them abreast of the most recent developments in the discipline.

At the Intelligent Control Systems Laboratory, Griffith researchers are developing smart sensors, electronics, and control-and-decision-making software algorithms to empower vehicles and robots artificial intelligence.

Intelligent Control Systems Research know-how extends to control systems, intelligent control, decision theory and systems engineering.

Control systems are ubiquitous and find their applications from medicine to robotics and mechatronics, food, manufacturing, oil, automotive and space industries. Often, they are hidden, being embodied as embedded computer systems, i.e. electronic systems that include a microcomputer to perform a specific application in real-time, and play an enabling role for many technology edge solutions. By now, "control systems are the essential ingredients of practically all engineering systems” [Karl Astroem: Control of Complex Systems, Springer-Verlag, 2001].

Many discoveries are thanks to the feedback control principle which is the essence of operation of control systems. The list of such discoveries may quickly become exhausted.

Control Systems Theory is playing an increasing role in assisting researchers and scientists from non-engineering disciplines such as social science, economics, quantum physics, medicine, biology, finance and banking, etc., in understanding various phenomena in their disciplines.