inControl

Brian Douglas, Principal Technical Marketing Manager at MathWorks and the brain behind Engineering Media, dives into his journey from Boeing to space mining. He discusses the birth of his popular control theory videos, focusing on innovative, engaging teaching methods. The conversation highlights his visual map of control theory, designed to clarify complex concepts, and the importance of creativity in education. Douglas also shares insights on the future of control education, emphasizing interaction and real-world applications.

Outline00:00 - Intro01:17 - Early Years04:17 - The “Scenic Route” to Control Theory12:44 - Sampled Data Systems22:26 - Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) Identification28:07 - From Distributed Systems and PDEs ...38:59 - ... to Distributed Control of Spatially Invariant Systems49:02 - Taming the Navier-Stokes Equations50:55 - Advice to Future Students1:13:12 - Coherence in Large Scale Systems1:32:28 - On Resistive Losses in Power Systems1:39:00 - Cochlear Instabilities1:50:40 - Stochasticity in Feedback Loops2:00:00 - About Linear and Nonlinear Control2:08:14 - How to Select a Research Problem2:14:21 - Future of Control2:22:06 - OutroLinks- Paper on moment-invariants and object recognition: https://tinyurl.com/26tnks3z- Bassam’s PhD Thesis: https://tinyurl.com/3n2274dv- Identification of linear parametrically varying systems: https://tinyurl.com/mryebhhy- Distributed control of spatially invariant systems: https://tinyurl.com/rzszjch2- Shift Operator: https://tinyurl.com/24fwehet- Heat Equation: https://tinyurl.com/57rc6s7h- Navier-Stokes Equations: https://tinyurl.com/45ktrd2e- The impulse response of the Navier-Stokes equations: https://tinyurl.com/4vaausfn- Non-Normal Matrix: https://tinyurl.com/58z4sph8- Coherence in large-scale networks: https://tinyurl.com/ynm5cbay- The Price of Synchrony: https://tinyurl.com/3svzancw- Tinnitus: https://tinyurl.com/yc5hm549- Cochlear Instabilities: https://tinyurl.com/fjespjbj- Stochasticity in Feedback Loops: https://tinyurl.com/yc6aw9xt- Koopman Operator: https://tinyurl.com/3jeu68p8- Carleman Linearization: https://tinyurl.com/yckzrnfh- Mamba Model: https://tinyurl.com/33h59jwj- Spectral Factorization: https://tSupport the showPodcast infoPodcast website: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5n84j85jSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/4rwztj3cRSS: https://tinyurl.com/yc2fcv4yYoutube: https://tinyurl.com/bdbvhsj6Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/3z24yr43Twitter: https://twitter.com/IncontrolPInstagram: https://tinyurl.com/35cu4kr4Acknowledgments and sponsorsThis episode was supported by the National Centre of Competence in Research on «Dependable, ubiquitous automation» and the IFAC Activity fund. The podcast benefits from the help of an incredibly talented and passionate team. Special thanks to L. Seward, E. Cahard, F. Banis, F. Dörfler, J. Lygeros, ETH studio and mirrorlake . Music was composed by A New Element.

Alberto Sangiovanni Vincentelli, an esteemed professor at UC Berkeley, shares his insights into cutting-edge technology. He discusses platform-based design in biology and its potential to create innovative biobricks. The conversation delves into hybrid systems and their application in the automotive industry, alongside the evolving concept of chiplets in circuit design. Sangiovanni explores how neuromorphic design mimics brain operations and emphasizes the role of innovative ecosystems. He also reflects on the philosophy of luck, highlighting how courage can shape one’s opportunities.

Alberto Sangiovanni Vincentelli, a luminary in electronic design automation and co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, shares his remarkable journey in technology. He delves into the evolution of circuit design through innovations like SPICE and logic synthesis. The conversation touches on his work with IBM and Intel, highlighting the Intel x386's impact. He also explores the shift towards automotive innovation and platform-based design. Throughout, he reflects on the cyclical nature of technological advancements and the integration of academic insights with industrial needs.

Aude Billard, a renowned professor at EPFL and a groundbreaking figure in robot learning, shares her journey from physics to robotics. She delves into the vibrant atmosphere of Edinburgh's academic scene that inspired her PhD work. Billard discusses the fascinating concepts of imitation learning and connectionism, revealing their importance in enhancing robotic capabilities. She also addresses the challenges of dexterous manipulation in unpredictable environments and advocates for more democratic practices in academic publishing while encouraging students to pursue their passion in science.

In this podcast, guest Naomi Ehrich Leonard, expert in collective decision-making, discusses fascinating topics such as starling flock formations, decision making in the natural world, political polarization, control theory and dancing, creativity, and the importance of pursuing exciting directions for enhancing creativity.

Exploring geometric control on Lie groups for underwater vehicles, collective motion in animal groups, decision-making in honeybees, and bifurcation theory. Insights into the interconnected patterns in dancing and control theory, coordination in nature, and spatial patterns in coordinated groups. Discussing the challenges of stability in underwater vehicles and the importance of control laws for robustness.

Outline00:00 - Intro00:47 - Mind the gap (metric)03:16 - Moment problems and Nevanlinna interpolation06:53 - “Everything relates to everything else”11:27 - Distances between power spectra 16:08 - Optimal mass transport and Schrödinger bridges32:25 - Sinkhorn iteration and Wasserstein geometry37:45 - Color of turbulence41:38 - Thermodynamics and energy harvesting from heat baths55:01 - Quantum mechanics57:55 - Adjustable one-ports1:07:20 - “Aha moments” and advice to future generations1:12:20 - OutroLinksTryphon’s website: https://georgiou.eng.uci.edu/Robustness analysis of nonlinear feedback systems: an input-output approach (paper): https://tinyurl.com/4785kxnyA topological approach to Nevanlinna–Pick interpolation (paper): https://tinyurl.com/4vudtz8cA generalized entropy criterion for Nevanlinna-Pick interpolation with degree constraint (paper): https://tinyurl.com/39enabucThe meaning of distances in spectral analysis, IEEE CDC plenary 2007 (slides): https://tinyurl.com/mrytp7j8Optimal Steering of a Linear Stochastic System to a Final Probability Distribution, Part I (paper): https://tinyurl.com/2nbm3sa6Y. Chen - https://tinyurl.com/37frfx67M. Pavon - https://tinyurl.com/yjhbawhbMittag Lefler - https://tinyurl.com/29cjum7jStochastic control liasons (paper): https://tinyurl.com/4s8y775bSinkhorn iteration: https://tinyurl.com/ym5catr2Color of turbulence (paper): https://tinyurl.com/5n77bepbHarvesting energy from a periodic heat bath (paper): https://tinyurl.com/2vadpu93Principles of lossless adjustable one-ports (paper): https://tinyurl.com/53v23yt4Inerter: https://tinyurl.com/ya2bkkhwSupport the showPodcast infoPodcast website: https://www.incontrolpodcast.com/Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/5n84j85jSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/4rwztj3cRSS: https://tinyurl.com/yc2fcv4yYoutube: https://tinyurl.com/bdbvhsj6Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/3z24yr43Twitter: https://twitter.com/IncontrolPInstagram: https://tinyurl.com/35cu4kr4Acknowledgments and sponsorsThis episode was supported by the National Centre of Competence in Research on «Dependable, ubiquitous automation» and the IFAC Activity fund. The podcast benefits from the help of an incredibly talented and passionate team. Special thanks to L. Seward, E. Cahard, F. Banis, F. Dörfler, J. Lygeros, ETH studio and mirrorlake . Music was composed by A New Element.

A distinguished professor discusses topics including running marathons, control theory, the Kimura-Jurji parameterization, the gap metric, optimal robustness, the commutant lifting theorem, interpolation theory, and causality in the arrow of time.

Davide Scaramuzza, a professor at the University of Zurich and a visionary in robotics and perception, shares his insights on autonomous flying technology. He discusses the thrilling world of drone racing, emphasizing speed optimization and algorithm advancements. The conversation dives into GPS-denied navigation and the revolutionary potential of event-based cameras, which enhance processing speed and environmental awareness. Scaramuzza also touches on the future of robotics, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to drive innovation.