Special Sessions

Schedule: Monday, (December 16), 18:00-19:00
Location: TBD

Organizers: Venkat Narayan Krovi, Chinmay Samak and Tanmay Samak (Clemson University) 

Join our celebration event to relive the nail-biting races, hear the top teams brag on their winning strategies and start your engines for the physical competition. For more information on the F1TENTH Autonomous Racing Competition, follow the link to the dedicated page.

The list of speakers will be publicized after the announcement of the virtual race results on December 9.

Schedule: Tuesday (December 17) 12:00 - 13:30
Location: TBD

Panelists: Prof. Victor Solo - Prof. Pramod Khargonekar - Prof. Bob Bitmead - Prof. Magnus Egerstedt

Précis: The strong promotion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a panacea/menace/smokescreen across so many areas of human endeavor has captured the attention of scientists, policymakers, granting agencies and large fractions of the public. And yet, there is very serious concern both from inside and outside the AI community that the basis for optimism is misplaced, needs rigorous examination, sophisticated regulation, and public oversight. Primarily, there are unmet requirements of quantified performance, interpretation, generalization, etc, etc. Control theory and practice intersects many of the target domains pronounced for AI, and yet has both a more formal methodology and metrics of behavior, bringing the closed-loop firmly into the picture. The rally is aimed at exploring how to achieve this in order to meet these collective challenges and realize the potential opportunities in the control space.

Schedule: Tuesday (December 17) 12:00 - 13:30
Location: TBD

Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career researchers are warmly invited to a special lunch session. This lunch will be a perfect opportunity to meet new peers and to make a game plan for the rest of your conference agenda. It is also a chance to meet members of the newly formed NextCom committee within the IEEE Control Systems Society (CSS) and learn about upcoming resources, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at supporting early career members of our community.
Please join us to learn about all the exciting things happening in CSS and explore getting more involved!

Schedule: Wednesday (December 18) 12:00 – 13:30
Location: TBD

Organizer: Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs

Speakers: S. Di Cairano, K. Berntorp, A. Vinod, A. Weiss

Abstract: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) is a leading research organization that conducts fundamental research for industrially motivated problems. MERL is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a global manufacturer of a wide range of products including robots, automotive, HVAC, factory automation, electrical systems, and space systems. MERL researchers collaborate with corporate laboratories and academic partners from around the world to develop novel solutions to challenging problems.

Schedule: Wednesday (December 18) 12:00 - 13:30
Location: TBD

Organizer: Marcello Farina (Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano)

Speakers: Marcello Farina and Matteo Corno (Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Politecnico di Milano); Emanuele Lettieri (Department of Management Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano); Franco Lisi and Francesco Cusati  (Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano)

Abstract: The session will discuss the experience gained in the development of the BUDD-e project. The project, initially funded by Politecnico di Milano through the Polisocial 2021 programme, aims to develop a guide robot for blind and visually impaired users to be displayed, e.g., in structured spaces (such as hospitals and shopping centres). The project has involved as partners, among others, the Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano ONLUS, Unione Italiana dei Ciechi e degli Ipovedenti ONLUS-APS, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, and Servizio Sport of Politecnico di Milano.
During the session, project members and partners will describe the challenges and the main results obtained in the project. Besides the technical issues, a particular focus will be given on the experience gained through the close collaboration with the associations and institutions involved, in defining the characteristics of the guide robot and the needs, in terms of accessibility, within the considered spaces.

Schedule: Thursday (December 19) 12:00 - 13:30
Location: TBD

Organizers: Craig Buhr, MathWorks

Speaker: Dr. Claudia Yasar, Yildiz Technical University

Abstract: Intelligent control systems, integrating both classical and contemporary methodologies, are pivotal in managing complex systems that exceed the capabilities of traditional control mechanisms. Utilizing adaptive and learning capabilities —often by employing artificial intelligence algorithms—these systems address intricate challenges effectively. This session will highlight an innovative engineering course designed to embed intelligent control principles within the curriculum, utilizing state-of-the-art MATLAB and Simulink tools.
The course aims to enrich the educational experience by providing students with a robust understanding of intelligent control systems, proficiency in modern technological trends for control system design and modeling, and advanced analytical tools for practical applications. By emphasizing project-based learning and hands-on activities, the course aims to enhance essential engineering skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning, thus preparing students for both academic and industrial careers.
The course employs MATLAB Live Scripts for interactive learning, Simulink for dynamic modeling and simulation, MATLAB Onramps for self-paced online training, and MATLAB Grader for auto-grading student work. Additionally, it utilizes interoperability between MATLAB and Python and includes low-cost hardware experiments enabling students apply theoretical knowledge to real-life projects. The positive outcomes and student feedback underscore the effectiveness of this educational approach in equipping future engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge.