We have used Data Mining to solve engineering problems such as:
Control of anti-lock braking systems.
We developed adaptive control systems to learn what the road
conditions were under all four wheels of an automobile during
a panic stop. The system then sent appropriate control signals
to the anti-lock braking system and the four wheel steering system
that were able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop. This was
an amazing system in that the whole process of learning and control
took place in a small fraction of a second. This system is currently
being tested on vehicles in Detroit. It should make cars much
safer than they are currently.
Control of chemical plants.
We developed a patented method for adaptively learning the status
and operating condition of a chemical plant, and we were able
to control the output of the plant even if the plant entered
into runaway regimes. This was a first for the chemical industry.
Du Pont estimated the potential savings to be $500 Million per
year if these methods were implemented throughout the company.
We generalized this technique and applied it to the manufacture
of integrated circuits, which experience some of the same difficulties
as chemical plants. This allows the industry to build larger
and faster chips.
Capture and codification of expert battlefield information.
We used these techniques as part of a command and control system
for tank commanders. This helps reduce the confusion inherent
in battlefield situations.
Traffic monitoring
We built systems that could classify vehicles
into 13 different categories from standard road sensors. This
significantly reduces the cost of transportation planning.
Control of high-energy accelerators.
We developed an adaptive system to automatically
control the performance of a high energy particle accelerator.
The purpose was to prepare the accelerator for operation in space.
Monitoring drowsy drivers.
We developed a system that analyzes data from an array of sensors, to determine when truck drivers are in danger of falling asleep, and alerts them in order to prevent accidents.