Introduction to automation

The control subject of Nankai University is initialized in the last 1970s, and the major of Automatic Control is set up in 1972, which then becomes one key undergraduate major of MinistryofElectronics. In 1999, the major’s name is changed to Automation, and it is approved as a construction station of state-level first-class undergraduate major in 2020. It emerges many older generation control theory specialists such as professors Guizhang Lu, Fengsheng Tu, Zhuzhi Yuan, Yi Wang, Xiufeng Wang, Zhibao Wang, Shunju Hu, Jingbo Wu and Chaochi Zhang. The studies of robotics, modern control theory and distributed parameter control systems are in the first class of China, which forms the Nankai group with distinct features among control theory community.

The major of Automation of Nankai is mostly linked to the two topics of robotics and CIMS in last century, and begins early to develop the high technical improvement of Automation major. In 1986, Artificial Intelligence and Robot Laboratory (AIRL)is founded, which is one of the earliest robot labs in China. Under the leadership of Professor Guizhang Lu, AIRL becomes one of seven network labs of National 863 Program because of its priorities in robot controller, robot control approach, robot assembly language and robot experiment systems. In addition, the other six network labs are located in Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Harbin Institue of Technology, Shenyang Institute of Automation and Hefei Institute of Intelligence, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Nanka’s Open Laboratory of Robot Control Theory and Approach Network Station is opened up to the whole country, and at the same time the Modern Logistics Technology Research Center is founded.

The major of Automation of Nankai has several distinct features that include the modern theory and approach, technology research priority and muti-area practical experience. With the participation in National 863 Program, the technology inner core is strengthened prodigiously, and the major’s construction moves to the area top stepwisely; this is embodied by the trained control science talents with international competition ability and high quality. The talents include Haiping Che, the vice president of Huawei Company, and Li Yu, a member of standing committee of the people's congress of Zhejiang Province.

In 2018, the major of Automation is placed under the College of Artificial Intelligence, and the investment on the major of Automation increases dramatically. Furthermore, there are fundamental improvements in practical course setups and the constructions of teaching-research-integrated labs. Then, the new Nankai automation subject is formed with the feature “artificial intelligence+robot+control”.