Two major challenges exist for the development of dynamic control systems: first, the control system must be resourceful enough to provide problem-solving capabilities in unforeseen circumstances; second, it must be rapid enough to respond to dynamic environments. Most conventional control systems do not have the ability to “step back” and problem-solve, especially in environments with incomplete and uncertain models and data. Orthogonally, commercially available AI systems usually do not respond at the rates required to support “real-time” control. Hence, control systems are not available that respond to complex dynamic environments within appropriate time constraints. This paper describes work on an Al-based control system designed to address these challenges. A prototype system has been used, in a simulated environment, to control the robotic welding of aerospace components. This Al-based control system has demonstrated the ability to flexibly control a complex process within required time constraints by incorporating higher level reasoning and the ability to deal with uncertainty. Further work is in progress to expand the system’s problem-solving capabilities.

Date Published: 1 January 1990
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 1293, Applications of Artificial Intelligence VIII, (1 January 1990); doi: 10.1117/12.21081

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1293:
Applications of Artificial Intelligence VIII
Mohan M. Trivedi, Editor(s)