Abstract
This paper presents the state-of-the-art in terms of automation and control for protected cultivation in greenhouses. Aspects such as modeling, instrumentation, energy optimization and applied robotics are considered, aiming at not only to identify latest research topics, but also to foster continuous improvement in key cutting-edge problems. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017.

Abstract
This paper addresses a strategy to improve disturbance rejection for the Sliding Mode Controller designed in a Smith Predictor scheme (SMC-SP), with its parameters tuned through the bio-inspired search algorithm—Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Conventional SMC-SP is commonly based on tuning equations derived from step response identification, when First Order Plus Dead Time models (FOPDT) are considered and therefore controller parameters are previously set. Online PSO tuning based on minimization of the Integral of Time Absolute Error (ITAE) can provide faster recovery from external disturbances without significant increase of energy consumption, and the Sliding Mode feature deals with possible model mismatch. Simulation results for time delayed systems corroborating these benefits are presented. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017.

Abstract
Proportional, integrative and derivative (PID) controllers are among the most used in industrial control applications. Classical PID controller design methodologies can be significantly improved by incorporating recent computational intelligence techniques. Two techniques based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms are proposed to design PI-PID controllers. Both control design methodologies are directed to optimize PI-PID controller gains using two degrees-of-freedom control configurations, subjected to frequency domain robustness constraints. The first technique proposes a single-objective PSO algorithm, to sequentially design a two degrees-of-freedom control structure, considering the optimization of load disturbance rejection followed by set-point tracking optimization. The second technique proposes a many-objective PSO algorithm, to design a two degrees-of-freedom control structure, considering simultaneously, the optimization of four different design criteria. In the many-objective case, the control engineer may select the most adequate solution among the resulting optimal Pareto set. Simulation results are presented showing the effectiveness of the proposed PI-PID design techniques, in comparison with both classic and optimization based methods.

Abstract
This paper describes a proposal to develop a Tourism Recommendation System based in Users and Points-of-Interest (POI) functionality/accessibility levels. The focus is to evaluate if user’s physical and psychological functionality levels can perform an important role in recommendation results accuracy. This work also aims to show the importance of POI classification (accessibility levels are related with each POI ability to receive tourists with certain levels of physical and psychological issues), through the definition of a different model regarding their accessibility and other characteristics. © Springer International Publishing AG 2018.

Abstract
Posicast feedback control systems are very sensitive to model uncertainty. This paper proposes the use of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to auto-tune two-degrees of freedom control systems. The system considers as a pre-filter a half-cycle Posicast command shaper and a PID controller in the feedback loop. A model reference technique is proposed to track differences among model and system to be controlled, feeding a decision block which will trigger an auto-tuning optimization mechanism. Preliminary simulation results are presented showing the proposed technique effectiveness to deal with prescribed plant uncertainties.

Abstract
The use of rigid robot manipulators with good performance in industrial applications demands a proper robust and optimized control technique. Several works have proven the efficient use of metaheuristics optimization algorithms to work with complex problems in the robotic area. In this work, it is proposed the use of Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) with chaotic basis to optimize the parameters of a robust Higher Order Sliding Modes (HOSM) controller for the position control in joint space of a rigid robot manipulator. A total of seven test cases were considered varying the chosen chaotic map, face to the original GWO and the general repeatability of such algorithm is improved using chaotic versions. Also, two cost functions were tested within the HOSM optimization. Simulation results suggest that both algorithm and cost function formulations influence the chaotic map choice. In fact, the chattering problem, presented by HOSM controllers, is reduced when the cost function attempts to minimize the total variation of the control signal.