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Electronics
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Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends
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Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Computer Science & Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 5901

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Federico Rossi

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Guest Editor
Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, PI, Italy
Interests: computer arithmetic; RISC-V platforms; digital twins; CPSs; AI/machine learning
Dr. Cinzia Bernardeschi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, PI, Italy
Interests: dependable systems; model-based design of control systems; formal methods; co-simulation; cybersecurity
Dr. Gloria Gori

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Guest Editor
Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, FI, Italy
Interests: intelligent transportation systems; formal methods for model-driven development of real-time software; requirement analysis techniques to detect ambiguities and to improve industrial development processes; quantitative evaluation of software performance; reliability and safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are a revolutionary combination of computational algorithms and physical components that are transforming several industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. This Special Issue explores the most recent developments and new directions in CPSs to shed light on the field's changing terrain and future directions.

There are several different CPS-related topics covered in this Special Issue. Recent advancements in CPS infrastructure and technology are examined, highlighting the state-of-the-art ideas for this sector. Topics of interest for submission include but are not limited to the following:

  1. How might machine learning approaches be integrated into CPS applications? Machine learning plays a crucial role in enhancing overall system performance and operational efficiency by using algorithms to evaluate large datasets and optimize system processes. Machine learning opens new areas of use for CPSs, such as route optimization in transportation and predictive maintenance in manufacturing.
  2. Emerging trends, illuminating ground-breaking advancements including blockchain integration, autonomous systems, and the changing nature of human–CPS interaction, redefine the capabilities and functionalities of CPSs across several areas, while also pushing the bounds of innovation. Amidst these advancements, however, lie significant challenges and opportunities.
  3. Safety, security, and ethical considerations loom large in the deployment of CPSs, prompting a critical examination of risk mitigation strategies and regulatory frameworks. Moreover, the intersection of CPS with societal values and norms necessitates careful deliberation to ensure responsible and equitable technological adoption.

To the end, this Special Issue guides readers through the challenging landscape of CPS research and developments. It provides priceless insights into the future course of CPSs by highlighting important trends, obstacles, and opportunities.

Dr. Federico Rossi
Dr. Cinzia Bernardeschi
Dr. Gloria Gori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Electronics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • internet of things
  • artificial intelligence in CPSs
  • real-time monitoring
  • autonomous decision making
  • model-based design of CPSs
  • verification of CPSs
  • safety
  • security
  • intelligent transportation systems
  • simulation tools for CPSs

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 3723 KiB  
Article
SESAME: Automated Security Assessment of Robots and Modern Multi-Robot Systems
by Manos Papoutsakis, George Hatzivasilis, Emmanouil Michalodimitrakis, Sotiris Ioannidis, Maria Michael, Antonis Savva, Panagiota Nikolaou, Eftychia Stokkou and Gizem Bozdemir
Electronics 2025, 14(5), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14050923 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 916
Abstract
As robotic systems become more integrated into our daily lives, there is growing concern about cybersecurity. Robots used in areas such as autonomous driving, surveillance, surgery, home assistance, and industrial automation can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which could have serious real-world consequences. Modern [...] Read more.
As robotic systems become more integrated into our daily lives, there is growing concern about cybersecurity. Robots used in areas such as autonomous driving, surveillance, surgery, home assistance, and industrial automation can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which could have serious real-world consequences. Modern robotic systems face a unique set of threats due to their evolving characteristics. This paper outlines the SESAME project’s methodology for the automated security analysis of multi-robot systems (MRS) and the production of Executable Digital Dependability Identities (EDDIs). Addressing security challenges in MRS involves overcoming complex factors such as increased connectivity, human–robot interactions, and a lack of risk awareness. The proposed methodology encompasses a detailed process, starting from system description and vulnerability identification and moving to the generation of attack trees and security EDDIs. The SESAME security methodology leverages structured repositories like Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE), Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE), and Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) to identify potential vulnerabilities and associated attacks. The introduction of Template Attack Trees facilitates modeling potential attacks, helping security experts develop effective mitigation strategies. This approach not only identifies, but also connects, specific vulnerabilities to possible exploits, thereby generating comprehensive security assessments. By merging safety and security assessments, this methodology ensures the overall dependability of MRS, providing a robust framework to mitigate cyber–physical threats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends)
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16 pages, 954 KiB  
Article
A Maneuver Coordination Analysis Using Artery V2X Simulation Framework
by João Oliveira, Emanuel Vieira, João Almeida, Joaquim Ferreira and Paulo C. Bartolomeu
Electronics 2024, 13(23), 4813; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13234813 - 6 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1162
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications on vehicle cooperation, focusing on increasing the robustness and feasibility of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Vehicles (CCAVs). V2X communications enable CCAVs to obtain a holistic environmental perception, facilitating informed decision making regarding their trajectory. [...] Read more.
This paper examines the impact of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications on vehicle cooperation, focusing on increasing the robustness and feasibility of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Vehicles (CCAVs). V2X communications enable CCAVs to obtain a holistic environmental perception, facilitating informed decision making regarding their trajectory. This technological innovation is essential to mitigate accidents resulting from inadequate or absent communication on the roads. As the importance of vehicle cooperation grows, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has been standardizing messages and services for V2X communications, in order to improve the synchronization of CCAVs actions. In this context, this preliminary work explores the use of Maneuver Coordination Messages (MCMs), under standardization by ETSI, for cooperative path planning. This work presents a novel approach by implementing these messages as well as the associated Maneuver Coordination Service (MCS) with a Cooperative Driving System to process maneuver coordination. Additionally, a trajectory approach is introduced along with a message generation mechanism and a process to dynamically handle collisions. This was implemented in an Artery V2X simulation framework combining both network communications and SUMO traffic simulations. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of using V2X communications to ensure the safety and efficiency of Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends)
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23 pages, 1627 KiB  
Article
Hybrid State Estimation: Integrating Physics-Informed Neural Networks with Adaptive UKF for Dynamic Systems
by J. de Curtò and I. de Zarzà
Electronics 2024, 13(11), 2208; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13112208 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2486
Abstract
In this paper, we present a novel approach to state estimation in dynamic systems by combining Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) with an adaptive Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Recognizing the limitations of traditional state estimation methods, we refine the PINN architecture with hybrid loss [...] Read more.
In this paper, we present a novel approach to state estimation in dynamic systems by combining Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) with an adaptive Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Recognizing the limitations of traditional state estimation methods, we refine the PINN architecture with hybrid loss functions and Monte Carlo Dropout for enhanced uncertainty estimation. The Unscented Kalman Filter is augmented with an adaptive noise covariance mechanism and incorporates model parameters into the state vector to improve adaptability. We further validate this hybrid framework by integrating the enhanced PINN with the UKF for a seamless state prediction pipeline, demonstrating significant improvements in accuracy and robustness. Our experimental results show a marked enhancement in state estimation fidelity for both position and velocity tracking, supported by uncertainty quantification via Bayesian inference and Monte Carlo Dropout. We further extend the simulation and present evaluations on a double pendulum system and state estimation on a quadcopter drone. This comprehensive solution is poised to advance the state-of-the-art in dynamic system estimation, providing unparalleled performance across control theory, machine learning, and numerical optimization domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends)
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Review

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37 pages, 1159 KiB  
Review
Cyber–Physical Resilience: Evolution of Concept, Indicators, and Legal Frameworks
by Antonella Longo, Ali Aghazadeh Ardebili, Alessandro Lazari and Antonio Ficarella
Electronics 2025, 14(8), 1684; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14081684 - 21 Apr 2025
Viewed by 266
Abstract
The protection of critical infrastructures (CIs) from cyber–physical threats and natural hazards has become increasingly vital in modern society, which relies heavily on the essential services provided by these infrastructures. The European Union has emphasized the importance of this issue by deploying a [...] Read more.
The protection of critical infrastructures (CIs) from cyber–physical threats and natural hazards has become increasingly vital in modern society, which relies heavily on the essential services provided by these infrastructures. The European Union has emphasized the importance of this issue by deploying a comprehensive policy package in 2022, including the NIS2 and CER Directives. This paper explores the concept of resilience in critical entities and essential services from a cyber–physical perspective. It addresses the inherent complexity of CIs and discusses challenges, limitations, and future research directions for enhancing their protection in line with EU policies. Furthermore, it introduces a conceptual model of resilience, outlining its analytical dimensions, and reviews current resilience indicators and corresponding assessment frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cyber-Physical Systems: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends)
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