American Automatic Control Council

Hello and Welcome!

It is my great honor to welcome you to the American Automatic Control Council (AACC). AACC is the United States’ National Member Organization of the International Federation for Control (IFAC). In this role, AACC facilitates participation in IFAC by US control engineers. As the incoming President, I am deeply inspired by the Council’s long tradition of fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership in the automatic control community across the United States and around the world.

AACC, represented by nine member societies, is a true microcosm of control systems, which over the past seven decades and more have found applications in aerospace systems, process control, operations research, civil infrastructures, automotive mechanical systems, cyber physical systems, power grids, manufacturing and automation, and smart communities. With a true partnership and collaboration between its member societies, AACC plays a vital role in advancing the science and practice of control systems, representing the U.S. in global forums and supporting two high quality conferences such as the American Control Conference (ACC) and Modeling, Estimation, and Control Conference (MECC). Through these activities, we continue to strengthen the connections among researchers, practitioners, educators, and students.

I bring to this role not only my enthusiasm for the field but also years of experience in research, education, and professional service. I am a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Founder and Director of the Active-Adaptive Control Laboratory, where our team explores adaptive and intelligent control methods for complex systems spanning aerospace, energy, transportation, and cyber-physical infrastructures. My research has centered on adaptive control theory, its deep theoretical foundations, and real-world applications ranging from smart grids and sustainable energy systems to urban mobility. I have authored textbooks, co-edited reports on societal challenges in control, and served in leadership positions such as President of the IEEE Control Systems Society. I am passionate about the transformative potential of control technologies, whether enabling resilient power systems, advancing autonomous systems, or shaping future cities, and I believe AACC is uniquely positioned to nurture these innovations through collaboration and mentorship.

In the coming year, I look forward to working with our member societies, volunteers, and community to enhance the reach and impact of AACC. AACC is an all-volunteer organization, with only two part-time employees. If you are interested in volunteering, contact an officer, director, a member of the operating committee of any conference, or (Click to show email). Together, we will celebrate excellence in research and education, expand opportunities for diverse voices in our field, and elevate the role of systems and control in addressing society’s grand challenges.

Thank you for being part of this dynamic community. Please explore our website and engage with our programs — your ideas, participation, and leadership are what make this organization thrive.

Warm Regards,

Anuradha Annaswamy
President, American Automatic Control Council