Cybernetics

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Cybernetics
Open Day Presentation Dr Richard
Mitchell Former Head of Department Department of
Cybernetics, The University of Reading, UK
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Cybernetics

• Cybernetics is derived from the Greek word
  kybernetes meaning steersman, a person in control
  
• It arose from discussions between researchers
  from various disciplines who found they had much
  in common
• Cybernetics is the science of systems and, as
  such, it is as relevant to the study of mans
  effect on natural systems as it is to the design
  of complex technological systems
• Cybernetics encompasses related subjects such as
  Engineering, Computer Science, Information
  Technology
• In fact Cybernetics pioneered Control, AI, Comp
  Sci...

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Cybernetics - a Different Perspective Fundamental
principles, such as feedback, applicable to a
great variety of diverse systems, technological,
environmental, biological, or a mixture.
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Standard and Cybernetic Approaches
Standard Aristotelian (Greek) - Cause Effect
The Open Loop View. The (practical) Cybernetic
view
The Closed Loop view - has feedback. Irony
Cybernetics comes from a Greek Word!
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Feedback Problems ?
System more complicated Can lead to run away
disasters
Arms race is similar Though can be useful for
quick changes Can also be advantageous - for
instance for control
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Feedback Advantages - for Control
Cybernetics from Greek word for
steersman Without control like having eyes
closed
With control looking where you are going
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Classical Feedback Control System
Has many other applications - Drive in right
direction / speed Robot gripper at right
place Central Heating System Maintain body
temperature / balance Environment - Earths
temperature controlled, etc. See what you have
got, if not what you want, do something!
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Learning - a feedback process
You learn by your mistakes Used in machine
learning Neural Networks In Neural Network,
have to set its weights
This is done by finding actual output, comparing
it with desired, and adjusting weights if there
is a difference. Cybernetic's robots, like
babies, learn by trial and error
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Human Computer Interaction
Just positioning a mouse is a feedback
process Ultimate HCI is Virtual Reality
Also, Augmented Reality - mixed real and virtual
world Teleoperation remote control where operator
given input to suggest is at remote location.
Needs force feedback.
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Cybernetics at Reading

• First taught in 1963 within Dept Physics
• Dept Cybernetics formed in 1977
• Over previous ten years
• Department has expanded to 15 academic staff
  (with additional research, teaching and support
  staff)
• Degrees offered have expanded to include MEng
  Level
• Subject area has broadened to allow
  specialization in Biomedical Engineering
• Student numbers have doubled, entry requirements
  raised
• Research has improved steadily

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Degree Programmes

• M.Eng. Cybernetics
• Computer Science and Cybernetics
• Electronic Engineering and Cybernetics
• BSc Cybernetics Control Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering Cybernetics
• Computer Science and Cybernetics
• Artificial Intelligence and Cybernetics
• BEng Electronic Engineering and Cybernetics
• Some (applied) courses have year in industry)
• Courses accredited by professional institutions

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Striving for Excellence

• Committed to provide high quality teaching in an
  intellectually stimulating environment
• Courses monitored and approved at many levels
• University (Subject Review, Spring 2002)
• Governmental (87.5 in TQA 1998)
• Accreditation by Professional Bodies IEE, InstMC,
  BCS
• Research informs teaching and now recognised as
  internationally competitive level (RAE2001 grade
  5)
• Engineering at Reading in general 6th best in the
  UK in terms of research output (Guardian)

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Job Prospects

• Very good Reading is well situated
• Courses provide excellent background
• Final Year Projects rated very high
• Can help to give good impression at interview
• Graduates do a variety of jobs
• Computing, electronics, comms, research, etc.
• In addition, Cybernetics houses the Universitys
  Teaching Company Centre
• Projects with University and Industry in which a
  graduate is employed
• Most successful centre in the UK

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Robotics Research
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Robot Head - Yorick
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Prosthetic Hand
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HAPTIC Research
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VR Research
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Implant - Cyborg experiment
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Terahertz Technology
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Research in Space
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All happens in this modern building
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On the picturesque campus
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In Reading - heart of the Thames Valley, the
centre of the UKs high tech industry
25 minutes by rail to London coach to
Heathrow Close to M4 - thence via M25 / M5 / M1
to rest of UK