p1 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Cybernetics - a different perspective Dr Richard Mitchell Cybernetics, School of Systems Engineering The University of Reading Cybernetic principles are applicable to a great variety of systems, technological, biological, environmental or a mixture. This talk demonstrates this by illustrating the application of feedback in diverse situations. For more info, see

p2 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Cybernetics – a different perspective In each of the windows, and the associated descriptions later in the talk, we see different applications of feedback – which is key to all Cybernetic systems.

p3 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Standard & Cybernetic Approaches Standard View: Aristotelian (Greek) - Cause & Effect The (practical) Cybernetic view : Closed Loop – Has Feeback Irony: Cybernetics comes from a Greek Word! The Open Loop View

p4 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Feedback Problems ? System more complicated Can lead to run away disasters Arms race (human or animal) is similar However such feedback can be useful for quick changes Feedback can also be advantageous - for instance for control

p5 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Feedback Advantages - for Control Without control – like having eyes closed With control – looking where you are going This will be illustrated by first considering the steersman

p6 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 As Applied To Other Systems Speed Control of Car (or other vehicle) Positioning Robot Gripper

p7 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Temperature Control Of Rooms Of Human Body

p8 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Learning Feedback Control fine for some simple systems. For more advanced, need intelligent control.. Must learn Learning is a feedback process: ‘You learn by your mistakes’ Trial and Error – used by our Robots / Babies

p9 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Neural Network Learning Like brain has network of neurons Each neuron sums products of each input and weight of connection Provide inputs, calculate outputs But must learn weights

p10 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Human Computer Interaction Just positioning a mouse is a feedback process Ultimate HCI is ‘Virtual Reality’ – human computer loop Not only view world, but hear, feel, smell it also … Also, Augmented Reality - mixed real and virtual world. Teleoperation - remote control where operator given input to suggest he/she at remote location. Needs force feedback

p11 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Daisyworld – to illustrate feedback Lovelock’s Imaginary world to demonstrate Gaia principle Life and Earth work together to mutual advantage Grey Planet - black/white daisy seeds in soil Daisies grow best at 22 O CNo grow if 37 O C Daisyworld’s Sun is heating up - just like Earth’s What happens to Daisyworld’s temperature?

p12 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Daisyworld Continued Note, for long period, temp constant – better if more species! Once 7 O C daisies grow, heating or cooling, until too hot

p13 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Cybernetics new – but feedback old Also 250 BC Water Clock Measures Time Watt Steam Engine Governor Control speed of steam engine

p14 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 IT Comp Sci Cybernetics Elec Eng EE & CybAI & Cyb IT & Man Comp EngEE & CS CS & Cyb BioM & Cyb Sys Eng Robotics Cyb & Cont Degrees in Systems Engineering Degrees accredited by IEE, InstMC, BCS. Some MEng, some BSc/BEng; some ‘applied’ year in industry Also have MScs in Cybernetics, Informatics and Network Centred Computing

p15 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Research in Systems Engineering Cybernetic Intelligence Interactive Systems Instrumentation & Signal Processing Ambient & Pervasive Intelligence Parallel Emergent Distributed Algorithms Informatics Research

p16 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Designed using cybernetic principles by ex- Cybernetics lecturer and graduate, Dave Keating. Arose from research here on mobile robots … Interactive R2-D2 Toy

p17 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Robotics Research

p18 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 More on Robotics Yorick – Robot HeadProsthetic Hand

p19 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 GENTLE – robot rehab for strokes

p20 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 HAPTIC and VR Research Phantom – so can ‘feel’ In your own little world!

p21 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Implant - ‘Cyborg’ experiment ?Ultimate human computer interaction chip (smaller than £1 coin) implanted …

p22 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 Terahertz and Infra-Red THz.. Latest part of e.m. spectrum to be used.. For sensing, security … Infra-Red Multi-Layer Filters.. For measuring gases … used in space

p23 RJMCybernetics – an Introduction © Dr Richard Mitchell 2006 All this happens In this modern building On the picturesque campus At the heart of the Thames Valley.. Easy access to rest of UK … and to jobs