Optimal Design and Control of Dynamic Mechatronic Systems

Dear Colleagues,

System dynamics theories have evolved to the point where we can automatically generate the nonlinear equations of motion for dynamic systems comprised of mechanical, electrical, and digital control components.  Applications range from autonomous robots and cars to biomechatronic rehabilitation and assistive devices.  However, the optimal design and control of these mechatronic systems remains a challenge.  How does one simultaneously optimize the system and control parameters in a multidisciplinary approach?  How can the optimal solution be made robust against disturbances, uncertainties, and changes to inputs and initial conditions for highly nonlinear systems?  How does one include the system topology in the optimization framework, so that different plant designs and control architectures are explored?  How can symbolic programming be exploited to obtain design sensitivities, exact gradients, and the optimized simulation code needed for real-time control?  Are there new theoretical and computational advances that can be used to find global, not local, optimal solutions?  

We invite submissions to this Special Issue that address these questions, and others, for the optimal design and control of mechatronic system dynamics.

Dr. Anson Garth Maitland
Prof. Dr. John McPhee
Guest Editors

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