On the 16th of March 2024, an eagerly anticipated event, the 'Robot Day', sponsored by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), unfolded at Coventry College. This event, echoing the success of the previous year's programme, saw the return of Aston University alongside other esteemed Midlands-based universities at the vibrant Coventry city center venue.
The gathering was a melting pot of diverse attendees, ranging from curious pre-schoolers and eager primary and secondary school students to college and university scholars, not to mention a significant number of professional practitioners from the robotics and engineering fields.
The focus was on showcasing the cutting-edge autonomous vehicle development integral to the Aston University MSc programme in Future Vehicle Technologies. This programme leverages the groundbreaking educational tool, the 'Control Lab in-a-Box' (CLB), an initiative spearheaded by Dr James E Pickering. Dr. Pickering, a Lecturer in Control Engineering at Aston University and a former Research Assistant at CTAC, has been instrumental in bringing this innovative teaching facility to life.
The event also highlighted the contributions of other participating universities: the University of Birmingham, Coventry University, and Harper-Adams University, each bringing their unique perspectives and projects to the table. Together, these institutions not only demonstrated the latest advancements in robotics but also fostered an environment of learning, collaboration, and inspiration for all attendees.
Over the years, as a university-based research center, CTAC Associates had the privilege of overseeing approximately 100 research programmes, the vast majority of which were enriched by some form of collaboration with industry partners. These applications were incredibly diverse, ranging from the optimization of industrial process control to refining manufacturing processes. CTAC Associates also delved into the development of control algorithms for various sectors, including automotive, marine, and aerospace. Notable examples include adaptive cruise control systems, dynamic ship positioning technologies, and sophisticated aircraft braking systems. Additionally, the center ventured into the biomedical field, focusing on control and optimization techniques in oncology, cardiology, and diabetes management.
From the inception of its first two PhD students in 1988 to around 2020, when the last two part-time PhD candidates, who started in 2014, completed their theses, CTAC Associates has seen well over 80 successful PhD completions. This academic journey was complemented by approximately 10 Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programmes, each spanning 2-3 years, and a similar number of industrial research internships lasting between 1 to 2 years. These initiatives not only fostered innovation but also bridged the gap between academic research and practical industrial application.
Now, as CTAC Associates transitions into a private, industry-focused research center, it continues to forge ahead with its mission. The center collaborates with UK university research teams, ensuring that the academic rigor and industrial relevance of its research remain at the forefront. Moreover, CTAC Associates provides robust support for students engaged in Engineering Doctorate and PhD programmes, nurturing the next generation of researchers and innovators in control systems and beyond.
Since its humble beginnings in 1987, the network of industrial collaborators associated with CTAC Associates began to flourish. This burgeoning network not only provided PhD students with real-world challenges but also granted them invaluable access to data, industrial mentorship, and state-of-the-art testing facilities. These resources were instrumental in allowing students to rigorously evaluate innovative control strategies against the backdrop of contemporary industrial practices.
The eagerness of CTAC Associates to embrace these formidable challenges swiftly carved out an esteemed reputation for the center, known for its adeptness in addressing tangible industrial issues. Over the span of 28 years, leading up to 2015, CTAC Associates had meticulously cultivated a network comprising over 50 UK-based industrial organizations. This period was marked by the transformation of many former CTAC students and researchers into key employees, who eventually ascended to senior positions within these esteemed companies.
The scope of applications tackled by CTAC Associates was impressively diverse, encompassing everything from intricate industrial processes and manufacturing to the dynamic fields of automotive, marine, and aerospace engineering, not to mention the cutting-edge realm of biomedical systems and technologies.
Now, as CTAC Associates transitions into a privately-operated, industry-focused research center, it continues to uphold this rich tradition. The center supports a new generation of students engaged in Engineering Doctorate and PhD programmes, fostering their growth through real-world projects. Moreover, CTAC collaborates with various UK university research teams, ensuring that the legacy of innovation and industrial collaboration remains vibrant and ever-evolving.
In April 2022, CTAC Associates LTD (CTAC) is poised to embark on an exciting new chapter with its eagerly awaited re-launch. The chosen platform for this event will be the United Kingdom Automatic Control Council (UKACC) International Conference, CONTROL2022, set to be hosted by the University of Plymouth from the 20th to the 22nd of April 2022.
CTAC's CEO, Keith Burnham, is scheduled to co-chair a Mini-Symposium. This session, under the banner of the Institute of Measurement and Control, is slated for the 21st of April during CONTROL2022. The symposium, entitled "Developments in Control Systems and Decision Making for Connected Autonomous Vehicles," will not only highlight the cutting-edge advancements in the field but also reaffirm CTAC's dedication to pioneering research and innovation.
For those interested in exploring more about what CONTROL2022 has to offer, additional information will be available by contacting control2022@plymouth.ac.uk (mailto:control2022@plymouth.ac.uk).
The inception of CTAC can be traced back to the year 1987, when a pioneering research group was established at Coventry Polytechnic. This collaborative effort was born from the synergy between the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering. Initially known as the Control Theory & Applications Group (CTAG), this entity was later rebranded as CTAC upon its recognition as a Centre of Excellence in 1992. This accolade coincided with the transformation of Coventry Polytechnic into Coventry University, marking a significant milestone with the infusion of external funding.
Over the subsequent years, CTAC's research endeavors flourished, earning it a reputation for tackling and resolving complex industrial challenges. Its expertise in control systems not only garnered national acclaim but also established an international footprint in the academic and industrial communities. This period of growth and recognition culminated in March 2015 when, as part of a strategic overhaul, the established research centers at Coventry University, including CTAC, were dissolved and officially closed.
However, the legacy of CTAC did not end there. In a strategic move towards continuity and innovation, CTAC Associates LTD was incorporated in October 2014, with its official launch occurring in January 2015.
