Abstract
The theory of fuzzy sets, nearing its sixtieth anniversary, faces a challenging landscape marked by a proliferation of generalizations lacking semantic clarity and robust elicitation procedures. Similarly, numerous variants of fuzzy decision-making methods populate the literature, often characterized by ad hoc choices and unproven claims of enhanced decision-making capabilities. These developments not only fail to advance the field but also risk tarnishing its reputation in domains such as machine learning and operations research. Amidst these challenges, it is crucial to revisit foundational contributions that have stood the test of time. The compositional rule of inference and the extension principle introduced by Lotfi Zadeh in the seventies offer enduring insights, albeit often overlooked in contemporary discourse. Additionally, Goguen’s early recognition of lattice theory as the appropriate framework for fuzzy set theory remains as relevant today as ever. Drawing from these foundational principles, this keynote presentation explores pivotal milestones in fuzzy set theory, including fuzzy relational equations, computation with fuzzy quantities, and convolution lattices. These concepts not only address the propagation of non-stochastic uncertainty but also provide a lens through which to critically assess recent developments in the field. By reexamining these fundamental concepts and their applications, we can navigate the complexities of modern fuzzy set theory with renewed clarity and purpose. This journey not only enriches our understanding of uncertainty modeling but also opens new avenues for innovation in fields reliant on fuzzy logic.
Biography
Bernard De Baets received the M.Sc. degree in mathematics, the postgraduate degree in knowledge technology, and the Ph.D. degree in mathematics from Ghent University, Belgium, in 1988, 1991, and 1995, respectively. He is currently a Senior Full Professor with Ghent University, where he is leading the Knowledge-Based Systems (KERMIT) Research Unit as well as the Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling. He has acted as a Supervisor of 86 Ph.D. students and has published over 600 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has delivered over 300 (invited) conference lectures. He is currently a Co-Editor-in-Chief of Fuzzy Sets and Systems and a member of the editorial board of several other journals. He is a Government of Canada Award holder; has been nominated for the Ghent University Prometheus Award for Research; and is a fellow of the International Fuzzy Systems Association, a recipient of the EUSFLAT Scientific Excellence Award, an Honorary Professor of Budapest Tech, an Honorary Member of EUSFLAT, a Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Turku, a Professor Invitado of the Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas in Cuba, and a Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa.
Abstract
This talk will provide essential insights to narrow the gap between theory and practice in fuzzy model-based nonlinear control. While the application of nonlinear control theory to complex real-world systems often faces significant barriers, fuzzy model-based nonlinear control provides a smoother and more straightforward path from theory to practical design. After a brief review of recent advances in fuzzy model-based nonlinear control using linear matrix inequality (LMI) and sum-of-squares (SOS) design frameworks, the talk will focus mainly on its application to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are considered to be some of the most challenging nonlinear control problems. This talk will not only shed light on the recent topics in fuzzy model-based nonlinear control, but also provide a glimpse into its promising future as a highly effective nonlinear control theory.
Biography
Professor Kazuo Tanaka is currently a Professor in Department of Mechanical and Intelligent Systems Engineering at the University of Electro- Communications, Tokyo, Japan. He received his Ph. D. in Systems Science from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1990. He was a Visiting Scientist in Computer Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 and 1993. From his professional societies, he has received several prestigious awards including IFAC World Congress Best Poster Paper Prize in 1999, IEEE Transactions on Fuzzy Systems Outstanding Paper Award in 2000, IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) Fuzzy Systems Pioneer Award in 2021, to name a few. He has been annually selected in Stanford University List of Top 2% Scientists Worldwide in recent years. His research interests include fuzzy systems control, nonlinear systems control and their applications to unmanned aerial vehicles. His journal publications currently report over 31,720 citations according to Google Scholar, with h-index of 59 and i10-index of 156. He is an IEEE Fellow and an IFSA Fellow.