The Control Group was established in 1947 by R.H.Macmillan and was later expanded by J.F. Coales after 1952. Research by the Control Group was first carried out in the areas of mechanical control systems, and later in nonlinear and optimal control with A.T.Fuller, and applications to industrial processes. After 1974 multivariable frequency response methods became a prominent research theme with the appointment of A.G.J. MacFarlane. From the mid 1980s onwards the group was recognized for work in H-infinity control with Prof Keith Glover
Today, the guiding principle of all research in the laboratory is that a well-designed engineering system must be based on a sound mathematical model. In this regard, neural networks represent just one of a wide range of applicable techniques. Others include stochastic processes such as hidden Markov models, Bayesian inference, invariant transformations in 3D geometry, computational geometry, Wiener and Kalman filtering, classification and regression trees, and genetic algorithms.
