Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The primary objective of this research program is to advance the knowledge and application of optimization- based control for constrained systems with fast dynamics, such as those prevalent in the automotive, robotics and aerospace fields. Although many optimization schemes exist for unconstrained systems, difficulties are encountered when incorporating constraints directly into the problem formulation. Real-time implementation of constrained optimal controllers on fast systems has only recently become a realistic possibility thanks to the advanced computational power of modern computers. My research program aims to develop control algorithms that allow for consistent and practical implementation of constrained optimization schemes on systems with fast dynamics with two key objectives - the advancement of knowledge, and the implementation of control algorithms on relevant industrial systems. The focus of my current research has been the optimization-based model predictive control methodology. The application of control systems allows for collaborative interdisciplinary research, yet there is often a visible gap between research in control systems and application of that technology in industry. The implementation of advanced controls to real industrial systems will impact industry dramatically. In this case, the advancement of knowledge must be supplemented with practical application of that knowledge to real systems. My research team is currently working on applications of optimization in the areas of vision systems, remotely controlled systems and automotive systems. The long term objective of these applications is to integrate some of these systems in order to implement an autonomous vehicle. Research in this area of constrained optimization and control would advance the field with the realistic possibility that consequential technologies could be transferred to Canadian industry with positive returns. Furthermore, the importance of this area of research to industry makes it a fundamental area of importance for the training of HQP.