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

Cybernetics - a Different Perspective Fundamental principles, such as feedback, applicable to a great variety of diverse systems, technological, environmental, biological, or a mixture.

Standard and Cybernetic Approaches The Closed Loop view - has feedback. Irony: Cybernetics comes from a Greek Word! The Open Loop View. The (practical) Cybernetic view Standard: Aristotelian (Greek) - Cause & Effect

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

Feedback Advantages - for Control Cybernetics from Greek word for steersman Without control – like having eyes closed With control – looking where you are going

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 - Earth’s temperature controlled, etc. See what you have got, if not what you want, do something!

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

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.

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

Degree Programmes M.Eng. Cybernetics* Computer Science and Cybernetics * Electronic Engineering and Cybernetics* BScCybernetics & 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

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 6 th best in the UK in terms of research output (Guardian)

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 University’s Teaching Company Centre Projects with University and Industry in which a graduate is employed Most successful centre in the UK

Robotics Research

Robot Head - Yorick

Prosthetic Hand

HAPTIC Research

VR Research

Implant - ‘Cyborg’ experiment

Terahertz Technology

Research in Space

All happens in this modern building

On the picturesque campus

In Reading - In Reading - heart of the Thames Valley, the centre of the UK´s high tech industry 25 minutes by rail to London; coach to Heathrow Close to M4 - thence via M25 / M5 / M1 to rest of UK