Applications of CPS technologies used in the planning, functional design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, efficient, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
Project
CPS: Synergy: Resilient Wireless Sensor-Actuator Networks
Wireless sensor-actuator networks (WSAN) are systems consisting of numerous sensing and actuation devices that interact with the environment and coordinate their activities over a wireless communication network. This project studies "resilience" in WSANs. A resilient system is one that maintains an active awareness of surrounding threats and reacts to those threats in a manner that returns the system to operational normalcy in finite time. This project's approach to resilient WSANs rests on two fundamental trends. One trend uses machine-to-machine (M2M) communication networks that promise wireless networking with greater peak bit-rates and reliability than previously possible. The other trend comes from recent ideas that use quantization and event-triggered feedback in a unified manner to reduce bit rates required by real-time control systems. This project will evaluate and demonstrate this integrated control/communication approach to resilience on a multi-robotic testbed consisting of unmanned ground vehicles. The testbed will integrate M2M communication hardware/software with a multi-robot control architecture addressing task coordination and platform stabilization. This project broadens its impact through organizations and programs on and around the Notre Dame campus that facilitate industrial engagement and technology transfer. The project will engage undergraduate and graduate students to support the project's testbed and algorithm development. The project will augment and re-organize Notre Dame's Cyber-Physical System (CPS) curriculum by integrating the results of this project into courses.
1239222
Off
University of Notre Dame
Michael Lemmon
-
National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1239222&HistoricalAwards=false
Submitted by Michael Lemmon on December 18th, 2015
Project
CPS: Synergy: Collaborative Research: Methodologies for Engineering with Plug-and-Learn Components: Formal Synthesis and Analysis Across Abstraction Layers
Effective engineering of complex devices often depends critically on the ability to encapsulate responsibility for tasks into modular agents and ensure those agents communicate with one another in well-defined and easily observable ways. When such conditions are followed, it becomes possible to detect where problems lie so they can be corrected. It also becomes possible to optimize the agents and their communications to improve performance. Cyber-physical systems (like robots, self-piloting aircraft, etc.) modify themselves to improve performance break those conditions in that some agent modules negotiate their own communications and decide their own actions, sometimes taking advantage of the physics of the world in ways we did not anticipate. This renders difficult application of standard engineering tools to accomplish critical fault diagnosis and design optimization. This project will produce analysis methods address the specific needs of cyber-physical systems that, by their natures, break the rules of convention. We will apply these new methods to the design and analysis of self-improving controllers for flapping-wing micro air vehicles. This work will provide advances in both model-checking related formal design methodologies and in module-based self-adaptive control in computationally resource constrained cyber-physical systems. The formal methods advances will significantly expand our ability to properly design and verify systems that tightly couple computation, sensors, and actuators. The specific test application addressed is significant to a number of nationally important security and defense efforts and will directly impact identified national priorities.
1239171
Off
Purdue University
Eric Matson
https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/research/research-grants/cps-synergy-collaborati…
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National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1239171&HistoricalAwards=false
Submitted by Eric Matson on December 18th, 2015
Project
CPS: Synergy: Collaborative Research: Multiple-Level Predictive Control of Mobile Cyber Physical Systems with Correlated Context
Cyber physical systems (CPSs) are merging into major mobile systems of our society, such as public transportation, supply chains, and taxi networks. Past researchers have accumulated significant knowledge for designing cyber physical systems, such as for military surveillance, infrastructure protection, scientific exploration, and smart environments, but primarily in relatively stationary settings, i.e., where spatial and mobility diversity is limited. Differently, mobile CPSs interact with phenomena of interest at different locations and environments, and where the context information (e.g., network availability and connectivity) about these physical locations might not be available. This unique feature calls for new solutions to seamlessly integrate mobile computing with the physical world, including dynamic access to multiple wireless technologies. The required solutions are addressed by (i) creating a network control architecture based on novel predictive hierarchical control and that accounts for characteristics of wireless communication, (ii) developing formal network control models based on in-situ network system identification and cross-layer optimization, and (iii) designing and implementing a reference implementation on a small scale wireless and vehicular test-bed based on law enforcement vehicles. The results can improve all mobile transportation systems such as future taxi control and dispatch systems. In this application advantages are: (i) reducing time for drivers to find customers; (ii) reducing time for passengers to wait; (iii) avoiding and preventing traffic congestion; (iv) reducing gas consumption and operating cost; (v) improving driver and vehicle safety, and (vi) enforcing municipal regulation. Class modules developed on mobile computing and CPS will be used at the four participating Universities and then be made available via the Web.
1239108
Off
Temple University
Shan Lin
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National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1239108&HistoricalAwards=false
Submitted by Shan Lin on December 18th, 2015
Project
CPS: Synergy: Collaborative Research: SensEye: An Architecture for Ubiquitous, Real-Time Visual Context Sensing and Inference
Continuous real-time tracking of the eye and field-of-view of an individual is profoundly important to understanding how humans perceive and interact with the physical world. This work advances both the technology and engineering of cyber-physical systems by designing an innovative paradigm involving next-generation computational eyeglasses that interact with a user's mobile phone to provide the capability for real-time visual context sensing and inference. This research integrates novel research into low-power embedded systems, image representation, image processing and machine learning, and mobile sensing and inference, to advance the state-of-art in continuous sensing for CPS applications. The activity addresses several fundamental research challenges including: 1) design of novel, highly integrated, computational eyeglasses for tracking eye movements, the visual field of a user, and head movement patterns, all in real-time; 2) a unified compressive signal processing framework that optimizes sensing and estimation, while enabling re-targeting of the device to perform a broad range of tasks depending on the needs of an application; 3) design of a novel real-time visual context sensing system that extracts high-level contexts of interest from compressed data representations; and 4) a layer of intelligence that combines contexts extracted from the computational eyeglass together with contexts obtained from the mobile phone to improve energy-efficiency and sensing accuracy. This technology can revolutionize a range of disciplines including transportation, healthcare, behavioral science and market research. Continuous monitoring of the eye and field-of-view of an individual can enable detection of hazardous behaviors such as drowsiness while driving, mental health issues such as schizophrenia, addictive behavior and substance abuse, neurological disease progression, head injuries, and others. The research provides the foundations for such applications through the design of a prototype platform together with real-time sensor processing algorithms, and making these systems available through open source venues for broader use. Outreach for this project includes demonstrations of the device at science fairs for high-school students, and integration of the platform into undergraduate and graduate courses.
1239031
Off
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Dutta Prabal
-
National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1239031&HistoricalAwards=false
Submitted by Dutta Prabal on December 18th, 2015
Project
CPS: Synergy: Collaborative Research: Formal Design of Semi-Autonomous Cyber-Physical Transportation Systems
The goal of this research is to develop fundamental theory, efficient algorithms, and realistic experiments for the analysis and design of safety-critical cyber-physical transportation systems with human operators. The research focuses on preventing crashes between automobiles at road intersections, since these account for about 40% of overall vehicle crashes. Specifically, the main objective of this work is to design provably safe driver-assist systems that understand driver's intentions and provide warnings/overrides to prevent collisions. In order to pursue this goal, hybrid automata models for the driver-vehicles-intersection system, incorporating driver behavior and performance as an integral part, are derived from human-factors experiments. A partial order of these hybrid automata models is constructed, according to confidence levels on the model parameters. The driver-assist design problem is then formulated as a set of partially ordered hybrid differential games with imperfect information, in which games are ordered according to parameter confidence levels. The resulting designs are validated experimentally in a driving simulator and in large-scale computer simulations. This research leverages the potential of embedded control and communication technologies to prevent crashes at traffic intersections, by enabling networks of smart vehicles to cooperate with each other, with the surrounding infrastructure, and with their drivers to make transportation safer, more enjoyable, and more efficient. The work is based on a collaboration among researchers in formal methods, autonomous control, and human factors who are studying realistic and provably correct warning/override algorithms that can be readily transitioned to production vehicles.
1238600
Off
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Paul Green
http://www.umtri.umich.edu/our-results/projects/cps-synergy-collaborative-resea…
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National Science Foundation
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1238600&HistoricalAwards=false
Paul Green Submitted by Paul Green on December 18th, 2015
Event
ECYPS’2016
4th EUROMICRO/IEEE Workshop on Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems (ECYPS’2016) ECYPS’2016 - the 4th EUROMICRO/IEEE Workshop on Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems will be held in the scope of MECO’2016 - the 5th Mediterranean Conference on Embedded Computing. It is devoted to cyber-physical systems (CPS) for modern applications that usually require high-performance, low energy consumption, high safety, security and reliability.
Submitted by Anonymous on December 8th, 2015
Announcement
U.S. Department of Transportation Launches Smart City Challenge to Create a City of the Future

 

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Smart City Challenge

About The Challenge

The USDOT has pledged up to $40 million (funding subject to future appropriations) to one city to help it define what it means to be a “Smart City “and become the country’s first city to fully integrate innovative technologies – self-driving cars, connected vehicles, and smart sensors – into their transportation network.

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Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a Smart City Challenge to create a fully integrated, first-of-its-kind city that uses data, technology and creativity to shape how people and goods move in the future.  The winning city will be awarded up to $40 million from the USDOT (funding subject to future appropriations) to implement bold, data-driven ideas by making transportation safer, easier, and more reliable. Additionally, Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Inc., has announced its intent to award up to $10 million to the USDOT winner of the Smart City Challenge. The winning city will need to work with Vulcan to secure this funding. The Smart City Challenge builds on the USDOT's Beyond Traffic draft report issued in February of 2015.  Beyond Traffic reveals that our nation's aging infrastructure is not equipped to deal with a dramatically growing population in new regions throughout the country and the need for increased mobility options in developing megaregions. This public-private collaboration represents the USDOT and Vulcan Inc.'s joint belief that creativity and innovation will be absolutely essential to meeting the significant transportation challenges of the future. Lessons learned from this competition will be used in other cities to improve networks nationwide and demonstrate a practical path to replacing carbon-based fuel consumption. The USDOT welcomes the participation of other entities who share the vision and goals in the Notice of Funding Opportunity found at https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity/nofo. 

"This is an opportunity for the winning city to define what it means to be a 'Smart City' when it comes to transportation.  We encourage cities to develop their own unique vision, partnerships and blueprints to demonstrate to the world what a fully integrated, forward-looking transportation network looks like," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "America can remain the global leader in maintaining the safest, most efficient system in the world: I am looking for mayors who share that belief to join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible." The USDOT is kicking off its Smart City Challenge today by inviting cities to submit a high-level description of their vision of a SmartCity by February 4, 2016, consistent with the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The USDOT will then announce five finalists in March 2016, who will then compete for up to $40 million to be awarded to one city in June 2016. The Smart City Challenge will allow the selected city to demonstrate how advanced data, technologies, and applications can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, and support economic vitality. The following are attributes of the ideal Smart City Challenge candidate:

  •  Mid-sized city with a population between approximately 200,000 and 850,000 people within city limits as of the 2010 Census;
  • A population density typical of a mid-sized city using 2010 Census data;
  • Represents a significant portion (more than 15 percent) of the overall population of its urban area using 2010 Census data;
  • An established public transportation system
  • An environment that is conducive to demonstrating proposed strategies;
  • Leadership and capacity to carry out the demonstration throughout he period of performance.

"Transformative innovation takes ambitious support from both the government and the private sector. That's why we're partnering with the DOT to inspire innovative, scalable, proof-of-concept solutions to address some of our planet's most urgent challenges," said Vulcan President and Chief Operating Officer Barbara Bennett.  "We hope that together we can spur change by demonstrating what is possible through replicable models." Applicants are invited to submit ideas - designed to address or enhance community needs - across a range of innovation and data-driven platforms. Critical system improvements that increase safety, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance mobility are especially encouraged for review. Specifically, these innovations will connect people, vehicles, public transportation, and infrastructure through ITS, sharing economy, and other technologies that improve the way Americans move, whether it be to drop off kids at school, pick up their groceries, get to work, and receive critical services. Secretary Foxx will host a national webcast on December 8, and a Smart City Forum will be web streamed on December 15 to discuss this funding opportunity, the application requirements, and the award selection process, and to answer relevant questions from interested parties. Participation in the webinars is not mandatory to submit an application under this solicitation. To view the December 8 webcast, visit: https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity. To register for the forum, visit: https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity/smartcitiesforum. 

The first round of applications is due February 4, 2016. Cities interested in applying should visit this website to learn more.To learn more about the Smart City Challenge or to explore joining as a partner organization, visit: https://www.transportation.gov/smartcity. 

General Announcement
Not in Slideshow
Emily Wehby Submitted by Emily Wehby on December 8th, 2015
Event
IEEE UIC 2016
13th IEEE International Conference on Ubiquitous Intelligence and Computing (IEEE UIC 2016) Ubiquitous sensors, devices, networks and information are paving the way towards a smart world in which computational intelligence is distributed throughout the physical environment to provide reliable and relevant services to people.
Submitted by Anonymous on December 8th, 2015
Event
IEEE ISORC 2016
ISORC 2016 ISORC has become established as the leading event devoted to state-of-the-art research in the field of object/component/service-oriented real-time distributed computing (ORC) technology. In 2016, we have adopted a new theme, Real-Time Issues and Challenges for novel applications and systems: Medical devices, intelligent transportation systems, Industrial automation systems, Internet of Things and Smart Grids.
Submitted by Anonymous on December 4th, 2015
Event
IUPT 2016
CALL FOR PAPERS The 6th International Symposium on Internet of Ubiquitous and Pervasive Things (IUPT 2016) To be held in conjunction with Ambient Systems, Networks and Technologies Conference (ANT'16) May 23-26, 2016, Madrid, Spain |  Website: http://cs.adelaide.edu.au/~iupt2016/ IMPORTANT DATES
Submitted by Anonymous on November 10th, 2015
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