APPLICATIONS OF FUZZY-SETS AND APPROXIMATE REASONING

This paper discusses recent applications of fuzzy sets and the theory of approximate reasoning. The primary focus is on fuzzy logic control (FLC). We begin with a brief history of the key ideas, a survey of rec ent applications, and a discussion of the genesis of FLC in Japan. We then turn to a study of the general principles of FLC, considering it as a combination of ideas from conventional control theory, artificial intelligence, and fuzzy sets theory. We next provide a detailed analy sis of a simple application in consumer electronics, namely, a fuzzy w ashing machine developed by Hitachi Corporation. In concluding section s we briefly consider other types of applications, including recent wo rk on pilotless helicopters, fuzzy expert systems, and the concept of a fuzzy computer, and we discuss the potential for future developments . It is our opinion that the subject of FLC is still very much in its infancy, and that recent events mark the beginning of an entirely new genre of ''intelligent'' control.