Wilfried Elmenreich

New Book: Engineering Swarms of Cyber-Physical Systems

via Self-Organizing Networked Systems by Wil on 8/27/25
 

We are excited to announce the release of our new book, Engineering Swarms of Cyber-Physical Systems, published by CRC Press in 2025. Authored by Melanie Schranz, Wilfried Elmenreich, and Farshad Arvin, this book is a vital resource for researchers, engineers, and students interested in swarm intelligence and cyber-physical systems (CPS).

This comprehensive guide covers the entire design cycle for applying swarm intelligence in CPS, including modeling, design, simulation, and deployment. Key features include real-world examples in robotics, manufacturing, and search and rescue; hands-on programming examples; diverse methodologies covering classical and machine-learning design methods; and a dedicated chapter on simulation requirements and models.

Melanie Schranz, Wilfried Elmenreich, Farshad Arvin. Engineering Swarms of Cyber-Physical Systems. CRC Press 2025. ISBN 978-1-032-04715-7.

RoboTunes: A Multi-Player Learning Framework with Musical Programmable Robots

via Self-Organizing Networked Systems by Wil on 8/27/24
 

Our paper, "RoboTunes: A Multi-Player Learning Framework with Musical Programmable Robots," presented at ICARA 2024, introduces an innovative educational tool that combines robotics and music to create an interactive learning environment. The RoboTunes framework allows students to control robots using musical instruments, navigating a Colorized Music-based Maze (CMM) by playing specific notes. This approach teaches the basics of robotics and integrates musical learning, making the educational process more engaging and enjoyable.

RoboTunes is designed to be adaptable to different age groups and skill levels. For beginners, tasks may involve simple note sequences to guide a robot, while advanced students can program robots to achieve similar goals, adding layers of complexity. The system supports both collaborative and competitive learning, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving while maintaining a fun, game-like atmosphere.

Khalil Al rahman Youssefi, Helmut Lindner, and Wilfried Elmenreich. Robotunes: A multi-player learning framework with musical programmable robots. In Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Automation, Robotics and Applications (ICARA), pages 334–338, February 2024.

A Slime Mold Algorithm for Repairing a Power Transmission Network after an Electromagnetic Pulse Attack

via Self-Organizing Networked Systems by Wil on 12/1/23
 

Kristina Wogatai proudly presented her paper, "A Graph-Based Approach for Applying Biologically-Inspired Slime Mold Algorithms for Repairing a Power Transmission Network after an Electromagnetic Pulse Attack," at the 2nd International Conference on Power Systems and Electrical Technology (PSET) in Milan, Italy, held from August 25th to 27th, 2023. The paper explores how to apply slime mold algorithms to restore power grids after an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. Our proposed method utilized a simulated slime mold algorithm on graph models to pinpoint critical repair areas, drawing inspiration from how slime molds construct networks between food sources. Kristina received the Best Oral Presentation Award at the conference.

Kristina Wogatai, Johannes Winkler, and Wilfried Elmenreich. A Graph-Based Approach for Applying Biologically-Inspired Slime Mold Algorithms for Repairing a Power Transmission Network after an Electromagnetic Pulse Attack. In Proc. 2023 2nd International Conference on Power Systems and Electrical Technology (PSET 2023), Milan, Italy, August 25-27, 2023.

On the Potential of Self-Organizing Energy Systems

via The Smart Grid by Wil on 12/6/23
 

Kristina Wogatai presented her planned dissertation, titled "Exploring the Potential of Self-Organizing Applications in Energy Networks" at the Doctoral Symposium of the 4th IEEE International Conference on Autonomic Computing and Self-Organizing Systems (ACSOS 2023) in Toronto, Canada. Her research focuses on self-organizing applications as a potential solution to challenges in energy management. These applications enable network components to communicate and collaborate without centralized control, making adaptive decisions to respond to changing conditions. Inspired by slime molds, Kristina explores their efficient pathways and growth optimization to balance energy demand and load across network components.

Kristina Wogatai. Exploring the Potential of Self-Organizing Applications in Energy Networks. In Proc. IEEE International Conference on Autonomic Computing and Self-Organizing Systems (ACSOS), Toronto, Canada, September 25-29, 2023.