Five (5) mini workshops on innovative topics in CPS will take place during the PI Meeting. PIs will have the opportunity to provide input on the workshop topics through the registration webform at 2025 CPS PI Meeting Registration | Cyber-Physical Systems Virtual Organization (cps-vo.org). Please check the program agenda as the meeting approaches for more details about the workshops.
CPS in Agriculture: Organizers/Moderators: Steve Thomson (USDA/NIFA) and Simone Silvestri (University of Kentucky)
Abstract: Agricultural Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) integrate modern sensors, computational power, and control technologies into farming, creating data-driven approaches that enhance productivity and sustainability. Agricultural CPS also bolster resilience against climate change and unexpected farming challenges. By enabling rapid responses to threats like extreme weather, pest outbreaks, or disease, CPS helps protect crops and reduce losses. This workshop will provide talks by leading scientists working at the intersection of CPS and Agriculture, highlighting the future challenges and opportunities in this domain. Talks will be followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A session.
CPS in the Age of AI: Organizer/Moderator: Cathy Wu (MIT)
Abstract: As Generative AI (GenAI) reshapes the technological landscape, its integration into Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) offers both vast opportunities and complex challenges. This workshop aims to explore how GenAI can address longstanding CPS challenges in modeling, system design, and multi-agent coordination while ensuring trustworthiness, safety, and robustness. We will delve into the new problems posed by GenAI—such as verification of AI components, managing uncertainty, and ethical considerations—and discuss solutions rooted in the CPS community’s expertise in formal methods, system theory, and algorithm design. The workshop will use World Café Style discussions. By rotating through thematic tables, each hosted by a facilitator, participants will collaborate to identify critical research directions and lay the groundwork for future projects that advance the frontiers of CPS in the age of AI. Table themes may include Trustworthiness in AI-enabled CPS, Generative AI for CPS Modeling and Design, Addressing Ethical and Societal Challenges of GenAI in CPS, GenAI for Multi-Agent Systems and Coordination, GenAI for CPS Applications. Table themes will be adjusted based on interest expressed in the registration form.
CPS & Digital Twins: Organizer/Moderator: Fatemeh Afghah (Clemson University)
Abstract: Digital twins (DTs) provide a pivotal role in advancing in cyber-physical systems by creating dynamic, real-time virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, or environments, offering capabilities far beyond traditional simulators. They continuously synchronize with their physical counterparts through sensor data and feedback loops to provide actionable insights for monitoring, accurate modeling, and predicting system behavior under varying conditions, significantly reducing the need for costly and often infeasible physical testing. Digital twins are indispensable in several CPS domains including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, energy systems, disaster management, aerospace and smart cities. This workshop features plenary talks, panels, and interactive roundtables with participants from academia and industry to discuss DT challenges like real-time data integration, scalability, and robust modeling for complex, interconnected systems.
CPS Resilience: Organizers/Moderators: Saman Zanouz (Georgia Tech) and Saurabh Bagchi (Purdue)
Abstract: The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has published an important report in February 2024 on resilience of Cyber Physical Systems Strategy for Cyber-Physical Resilience: Fortifying our Critical Infrastructure for a Digital World. One takeaway from the report is to identify grand challenges on which research should be focused, and support the creation of a National Research agenda to develop technology solutions that can be transitioned over short, mid, and long-horizons to substantially increase CPS resilience. This workshop will discuss the state of the art in CPS resilience research and identify potential gaps where further research is necessary considering short, medium and long-time horizons. Specifically, we are interested in areas where the critical issue is not simply the deployment of existing solutions on a widespread basis. What are new and creative concepts especially when dealing with systems that are not necessarily “green field” (i.e., systems that have substantial legacy components in them). How can AI research either improve or diminish CPS resilience? How can we measure resilience and what are approaches for experimentation? Can we achieve guarantees / or assurance? Cyber-physical system resilience is the ability of the system to prepare for threats and hazards (Natural or man-made, physical or cyber), adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from adverse conditions and disruptions. For example, it includes the capacity of an integrated system to keep running—even if not at peak performance—should it lose specific functions.
Human-in-the-Loop CPS in the Era of Human-AI Alignment: Impact and Future Direction: Organizer/Moderator: Salma Elmalaki (UC Irvine)
Abstract: This workshop addresses critical gaps in developing responsible and effective Human-in-the-Loop Cyber-Physical Systems (HITL CPS). It focuses on three key areas: formalizing the concept of alignment between humans and AI within these systems, integrating social and ethical considerations into their design and deployment, and assessing the broader societal impact of these technologies. Through talks, panels, and roundtables, the workshop aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and ensure HITL CPS development is both technically robust and socially beneficial.