“Don’t Follow the Crowd, Create Your Own Path”: Interview with Eric Kerrigan
Meet Eric Kerrigan, a brilliant mind behind the magic of automatic control engineering. As Chair of ACE’s Future Mobility GCRC and Professor at Imperial College London, he spends his career turning complex systems into smooth-running machines. From rockets to robots, his work is everywhere. Eric has developed methods to control everything from self-driving cars to renewable energy systems. We asked three questions about Automatic Control Engineering:
ACE: Automatic control engineering might sound complex, but it’s behind many everyday technologies. Can you explain, in simple terms, how this field works?
Eric: “The main aim of a controller is to make a dynamical system behave in a more predictable manner, despite the presence of uncertainty, disturbances, and noise acting on a system. The main tool that we employ to do this is feedback. This is best illustrated via an example, such as a modern adaptive cruise control (ACC) system in a car. What we would like to do is maintain a constant speed on the road, but not crash into any cars ahead of us. The uncertainties include not knowing how the road profile will vary and how a driver in front plans to change their speed.
An ACC system relies on several components to function effectively. These include sensors like radar and cameras to monitor the road ahead. The sensors detect the speed and distance of the car in front, and a control algorithm processes this information in real-time. Based on this data, the system adjusts the car’s speed by controlling the acceleration and brakes. If the car ahead slows down, the ACC system reduces the speed to maintain a safe following distance. If the road ahead clears, it accelerates back to the preset cruising speed.
The feedback loop in the ACC system is crucial. The on-board computer continuously compares the current speed and distance to the desired values and makes adjustments as needed. The precise amount of acceleration or braking needed is based on mathematical models derived from physics and experimental data. This feedback ensures that the car can adapt to changing conditions on the road, such as varying traffic speeds and sudden stops. Additionally, the system accounts for uncertainties like varying road inclines and different driving behaviours of other motorists.
By constantly monitoring and adjusting to the environment, the adaptive cruise control system enhances driving safety and comfort, ensuring a smooth and predictable driving experience even in the presence of uncertainties and disturbances.”
ACE: From Inspiration to Impact: What is your job role and what drew you initially to the field of automatic control engineering? Was there a specific problem you wanted to solve, or an innovation that sparked your interest?
Eric: “I am Professor of Control and Optimisation at Imperial College London, where I dedicate my time to creating advanced mathematical techniques for optimising control systems. My fascination with control engineering began with a deep interest in space: every rocket, satellite, and space probe relies heavily on sophisticated control algorithms to operate. The idea that tweaking a few lines of code can transform the behaviour of these complex systems, making them seem almost intelligent, fascinated me while I was still an undergraduate.
After graduating, I started my research career into using optimisation methods to design control systems that could provide rigorous guarantees on the robustness of aerospace systems right from the start. This proactive approach minimises the need for extensive safety testing and redesigns later on. My ultimate goal is to make aerospace technology greener, safer and cheaper. By improving how we design and control these systems, we can reduce manufacturing costs and environmental impact while enhancing reliability and safety. This work not only pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation and space exploration, but also contributes to a more sustainable and secure future for all of us.”
ACE: Building a Stronger Future: Engineering thrives on diverse perspectives. What advice can you offer to young people, especially women, interested in pursuing a career in automatic control engineering?
Eric: “One of my colleagues once said to me that “engineering is science for people – If you take ‘people’ out, you just have ‘science’”. This insight highlights the core of our mission: everything that we do is aimed at making the world a better place, both for those alive today and for future generations. As you think about the future, consider what you would like the world to be like in 20, 50, or 100 years from now. Reflect on how old you will be then and the problems you need to solve to realise your vision.
While it can be tempting and understandable to choose a specialisation based on current job market demand, this approach may lead to intense competition with many others possessing similar skills. Therefore, it is crucial to instead focus on what truly excites you and why. Look for a significant problem that is currently underexplored in your field. By the time you make progress in addressing this issue, you will be well-positioned when others begin to recognise its importance.
Moreover, it is important to believe in your vision and be patient. When I was a PhD student, many doubted that computers would ever be fast enough to control cars and aerospace systems using the methods I was working on. Fortunately, they were proven wrong. Today, advanced optimisation-based control algorithms are employed in a variety of complex and fast systems, from vertical rocket landings to semi-autonomous vehicles.
I highly recommend learning more about the career of Professor Ruzena Bajcsy. She founded the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing, and Perception (GRASP) Lab at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1970s. Today, GRASP is renowned within the control community for its cutting-edge research. Many advanced algorithms found in commercial robotic and autonomous systems can trace their origins back to the pioneering research conducted at GRASP.”
ACE: Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. Your knowledge and passion for control engineering are inspiring. May the ranks of controllers continue to flourish.
Stay tuned for more interviews with our ACE community members.