This paper deals with the design of stable and robust rule-based fuzzy
control systems. New expressions to compute indices which provide a m
easure of the stability and robustness of fuzzy control systems are pr
esented. The relation between the modification of the rules and the st
ability is studied through the so-called sensitivity indices. The pape
r presents procedures that make use of these indices to improve the de
sign of fuzzy control systems, including the modification of the rules
to obtain the global stability of an unstable system with multiple at
tractors, and to improve the dynamic behavior or the robustness of a n
on-linear plant. An example with a fuzzy controller for a system with
non-linear damping and saturation in the actuation is presented to ill
ustrate the design procedure.