Abstract
The paper describes the practical use of a model checking technique to contribute to the risk analysis of a new paediatric dialysis machine. The formal analysis focuses on one component of the system, namely the table-driven software controller which drives the dialysis cycle and deals with error management. The analysis provided evidence of the verification of risk control measures relating to the software component. The paper describes the productive dialogue between the developers of the device, who had no experience or knowledge of formal methods, and an analyst who had experience of using the formal analysis tools. There were two aspects to this dialogue. The first concerned the translation of safety requirements so that they preserved the meaning of the requirement. The second involved understanding the relationship between the software component under analysis and the broader concern of the system as a whole. The paper focuses on the process, highlighting how the team recognised the advantages over a more traditional testing approach.

Abstract
Minimum-variance control of adaptive optics (AO) systems relies on a stochastic dynamical model of the per-turbation and on models of the components, including loop delays. Resulting LQG controllers have been imple-mented in SCAO and WFAO both on laboratory benches and on-sky. Their efficiency has been recognized in several modes of operation, e.g. I) on-sky control of TT or low-order modes with vibration mitigation (SPHERE, GPI, CANARY, Raven, GeMS, in H2 formulation at the McMath-Pierce solar telescope) ii) full SCAO mode (CANARY) and MOAO mode (CANARY, Raven) and iv) in general it is advocated to control the low-order modes in laser tomography systems (E-ELT HARMONI LTAO, NFIRAOS). We first point out two examples related to VLT AO controllers to illustrate the need for RTC exibility. The implementation of LQG control in the framework of the future ELTs raises many questions related both to real-time control computation and associated parameter updates (at a far lower rate), and to the performance that can be reached compared with simpler control strategies. By gathering many lab and on-sky results, we draw the performance trends observed so far. We then outline some promising research directions for control design and implementations for future ELTs AO systems.

Abstract
This paper presents the design of a robust pole placement controller for linear and time invariant systems described by models whose parameters are unknown but, with known bounds, using only plant, input, and output signals. The main objective is to locate the closed-loop poles within a region specified by an interval characteristic polynomial, chosen based on performance specifications and whose stability is guaranteed by Kharitonov’s theorem. The procedure to find a closed interval for each controller parameter is formulated us a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem and switching laws based on the variable structure adaptive pole placement control (VS-APPC) are used to estimate the unknown plant, parameters. This innovative strategy gives a fast, and non-oscillatory transient,, smooth control signal and robustness to large model parameter variations. Moreover, the constraints imposed by the interval controller meet the closed-loop performance requirements. Simulation results are presented for second order nonminimum phase plants, to illustrate the properties of the proposed technique. © 2017 ICIC International.

Abstract
This work is focused on the development of system able to keep tracking driver's behavior without a black box device mounted inside the car. Firstly, we intend to explore the data from GPS (Global Positioning System), accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer for a full characterization of the vehicle dynamics. Secondly, we develop an event detector that determines and classifies distinct kind of maneuvers, like turns, lane change, U-turns, among others. Finally, we developed a simple aggressiveness classifier using fuzzy logic. Experiments have been conducted and the initial results of the system were found to be encouraging on the implementation of a non-intrusive system for driver analysis.

Abstract

Abstract
This work addresses the field of the artificial devices that replace a missing body limb, particularly the prosthesis used upon a transtibial (TT) amputation, also known as ankle-foot prosthesis. A major challenge in designing an ankle-foot prosthesis lies in synthesizing a mechanism that will functionally mimic the missing part of an anatomical leg and, therefore, restoring the normal gait of the amputee. This way, it will be discussed and presented the requirements for a TT prosthesis, the steps that lead to the primary sketches of the prosthetic model and its main mechanism. This work constitutes a preliminary research in the field of the bionic TT prosthesis.