Control Seminar

Game-theoretic Control of Socio-technical Systems

Dominic Liao-McPhersonAssistant ProfessorUniversity of British Columbia
WHERE:
1303 EECS BuildingMap
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Abstract: Our society is underpinned by complex large-scale infrastructures like the power grid, supply chains, and transportation networks. These are complex and dynamic socio-technical systems that are made up of heterogeneous actors (e.g., regulators, consumers, utilities) with disparate and sometimes conflicting objectives that are bound together by shared resources and infrastructure (e.g., energy, road space, or materials). Operating these systems safely, sustainably, and equitably in the face of disruptions such as heatwaves or pandemics is essential for ensuring our quality of life. However, many of the actors in these networks cannot be directly controlled and instead they must to be incentivized, regulated or otherwise cajoled into contributing to the safe and efficient operation of the overall system. In this talk, I will discuss some ongoing work on developing theoretical and algorithmic tools for a class of socio-technical systems. Specifically, I will describe a dynamic game-theory based framework for modelling dynamic networks of self-interested agents, highlight ongoing research towards understanding how local incentives lead to global system-theoretic properties (such as stability), and illustrate the utility of this framework through two examples: demand-side management in energy distribution grids and modelling dynamic supply chain competitions using game-theoretic predictive control.

Bio: Dominic Liao-McPherson received his BASc in Engineering Science (AERO 1T4 + PEY) from the University of Toronto in 2015 and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Scientific Computing from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) in 2020. He was then a postdoc at the ETH Zürich Automatic Control Lab before joining the Mechanical Engineering department at UBC in 2023 as an Assistant Professor. His research interests lie at the intersection of optimization, control, and computing with applications in robotics, energy, and aerospace.

*** This event is hybrid and will be available through zoom, but will not be recorded. The location for in-person attendance will be in room 1303 EECS.***

Faculty Host

Ilya KolmanovskyProfessorAerospace Engineering