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From: mackw@bytex.com
Subject: Real World Fuzzy Applications
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Date: Tue, 13 Dec 1994 19:06:57 GMT
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Per a request I have received, I am providing the following
list of some real world applications which were implemented
with fuzzy logic.  These are actual applications in use, not
R&D projects and are drawn from _Industrial Applications of
Fuzzy Technology_, K. Hirota (editor) primarily because I
happen to have that book in my office ;-).  My intent is to
emphasize that fuzzy logic is solving real world problems
which, to me at least, indicates it does provide some value in
the real world, regardless of theoretical arguments.

1) Water Treatment Facility - Previously was manually
controlled by experienced operators.  "...since control of
chemical injection in a  water treatment plant directly
affects water quality, there is a heavy reliance on the
experience of skilled operators, and the burden on them is 
heavy. ... Fuzzy control was introduced to improve the
situation; the following improvements resulted.  (1) The load
on the operator was lightened.  (2) Even a beginning operator
could perform control equal to that of a skilled operator; in
addition, the control became more reliable.  (3) The control
became smoother."

2) Combustion Control System for Refuse Incinerator Plant -
"An incinerator is normally operated automatically by an
Automatic Combustion Controller (ACC), but fine adjustments
during normal operation and restoration of the system in
emergencies are performed by a specialist operator.
..adjustment of the controls based on judgment are important;
skill  and experience are required of the operator."  Fuzzy
logic was used to automate control.

3) Automatic (Clothes) Washing Machine - Normally a washing
machine requires the operator to determine the amount of
detergent to add and the setting of various cycle control
dials.  Fuzzy logic has been used to create single button
(Start) washing machines.  "Nationwide (Japan) sales in 1988
set a record of 4,530,000 machines, and since then sales have
continued to increase."

4) Fuzzy Vacuum Cleaner - Instead of the operator changing
settings, fuzzy logic allows "... the suction power to be
automatically controlled in accordance with the amount of dust
and floor surface material."  "5,600,000 units were sold in
Japan in 1989."

As this sampling indicates, fuzzy logic is actually being used
in deployed applications.  Although it can be argued that
these applications might have been done using a different
approach, my question is "Why were these applications done
with fuzzy logic instead of some other means?"  

Wayne Mack

