Adaptive Leads to Proactive: Shifting Abilities of Control Systems
With the move toward automation, advanced adaptive controls are showing up in a range of sectors. For instance, MIT researchers have been working on an autonomous drone that utilizes a machine learning-based adaptive control algorithm to help put out wildfires. Elsewhere, adaptive controls are being utilized to streamline complex processes such as supply chains. Through these integrations, operators are achieving a significant advantage - the ability to function proactively.
Enhancing Speed with Adaptive Control Systems
As Benedikt Gieger and Dominik Metzger explained in a piece for the World Economic Forum, “...intelligent systems analyse vast datasets, forecast disruptions and optimize resource allocation, enabling businesses to proactively address challenges and capitalize on new opportunities.” This shift away from traditional system frameworks focuses instead on a more decentralized approach. In turn, control systems not only monitor at a faster pace, but adapt to necessary changes that are detected on a more holistic level.
Streamlining Work with Adaptive Control Systems
Of course, adaptive controls also appear in the growing industrial robotics and other autonomous machines market. Built with control systems that emphasize adaptability, these applications are able to process in real time. This means that they are increasingly programmed to react to tasks, which then frees up staff to focus on forward thinking strategies and more.
Sources:
● “AI-enabled control system helps autonomous drones stay on target in uncertain environments” - Adam Zewe, TechXplore
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-06-ai-enabled-autonomous-drones-stay.html
● “Harnessing AI technology to build autonomous supply chains” - Benedikt Gieger and Dominik Metzger, World Economic Forum
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/03/harnessing-ai-technology-to-build-autonomous-supply-chains/
● “Edging towards more flexible automation systems” - Claudio Ambra, Control Engineering Europe
https://www.controlengeurope.com/article/216530/Edging-towards-more-flexible-automation-systems.aspx
● “Technologies Driving Robotics and Motion Control Advances” - Drew Thompson, Automation
https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/june-2025/technologies-driving-robotics-motion-control