Impact Factor: 0.7

Published since June 20, 1964

at - Automatisierungstechnik

Methoden und Anwendungen der Steuerungs-, Regelungs- und Informationstechnik

ISSN: 2196-677X

Editor-in-Chief: Ulrich Jumar

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About this journal

Objective
Automatisierungstechnik (AUTO) publishes articles covering the entire range of automation technology: development and application of methods, the operating principles, characteristics, and applications of tools and the interrelationships between automation technology and societal developments. The journal includes a tutorial series on "Theory for Users," and a forum for the exchange of viewpoints concerning past, present, and future developments. Automatisierungstechnik is the official organ of GMA (The VDI/VDE Society for Measurement and Automatic Control) and NAMUR (The Process-Industry Interest Group for Automation Technology).

Topics

control engineering
digital measurement systems
cybernetics
robotics
process automation / process engineering
control design
modelling
information processing
man-machine interfaces
networked control systems
complexity management
machine learning
ambient assisted living
automated driving
bio-analysis technology
building automation
factory automation / smart factories
flexible manufacturing systems
functional safety
mechatronic systems

Article formats
Overview articles (reviews), methodological papers, applications papers, tools papers

Your Benefits

Your benefits:

Practical relevance of published articles
Important guide on matters related to automation technology
New theoretical methods and their potential areas of application
Close ties to research institutes and universities engaged in automation research
Annual Best Paper Awards sponsored by industry partners
Special Issues on hot topics by renowned Guest Editors

History

The journal at – Automatisierungstechnik was founded in 1953 in West Germany, at the time entitled rt – Regelungstechnik, nine years after the first German chair for automation control was established at the Technical University of Berlin-Charlottenburg. The first German institute entirely dedicated to automation control was founded in 1955 in Dresden. The division of Germany into East and West as of 1949 affected the German automation control community in terms of knowledge exchange, personal contacts and publication habits, with West German results usually being published in at, while researchers in East Germany published in Messen, Steuern, Regeln (msr), founded in 1957. In 1991, following the German reunification, economic considerations dictated a merger of msr with the practical journal Automatisierungstechnische Praxis (atp), while the more theoretical content previously published by msr found itself drawn to at.

at – Automatisierungstechnik has been closely affiliated with the prime annual automation control conference in Germany, Regelungstechnisches Kolloquium, which is held every February in the town of Boppard near Koblenz. The 50th anniversary of this colloquium was celebrated in 2016 in at with a number of articles including historical accounts and rhymed wit.

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Previous Titles

at - Automatiserungstechnik was originally founded as rt – Regelungstechnik. Its current name was introduced in 1985.

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Supplementary Materials

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External Links

Online Submission of Manuscripts

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 72 (2024)

Volume 71 (2023)

Volume 70 (2022)

Volume 69 (2021)

Volume 68 (2020)

Volume 67 (2019)

Volume 66 (2018)

Volume 65 (2017)

Volume 64 (2016)

Volume 63 (2015)

Volume 62 (2014)

Volume 61 (2013)

Volume 60 (2012)

Volume 59 (2011)

Volume 58 (2010)

Volume 57 (2009)

Volume 56 (2008)

Volume 55 (2007)

Volume 54 (2006)

Volume 53 (2005)

Volume 52 (2004)

Volume 51 (2003)

Volume 50 (2002)

Volume 49 (2001)

Volume 48 (2000)

Volume 47 (1999)

Volume 46 (1998)

Volume 45 (1997)

Volume 44 (1996)

Volume 43 (1995)

Volume 42 (1994)

Issue 1-12

Volume 41 (1993)

Volume 40 (1992)

Volume 22 (1974)

Volume 21 (1973)

Issue 1-12

Volume 20 (1972)

Issue 1-12

Volume 19 (1971)

Issue JG

Volume 18 (1970)

Issue JG

Volume 17 (1969)

Volume 16 (1968)

Issue JG

Volume 15 (1967)

Issue 1-12

Volume 14 (1966)

Issue 1-12

Volume 13 (1965)

Issue 1-12

Volume 12 (1964)

Issue 1-12

Volume 11 (1963)

Issue 1-12

Volume 10 (1962)

Issue 1-12

Volume 9 (1961)

Issue 1-12

Volume 8 (1960)

Issue 1-12

Volume 7 (1959)

Issue 1-12

Volume 6 (1958)

Issue 1-12

Volume 5 (1957)

Issue 1-12

Volume 4 (1956)

Issue 1-12

Volume 3 (1955)

Issue 1-12

Volume 2 (1954)

Issue 1-12

Volume 1 (1953)

Issue 1-12

at - Automatisierungstechnik publishes special and thematic issues focussed on important and emerging topics in the field of study. The journal has established a rigorous process to ensure that any special issue manuscripts follow the same high-quality standards and peer review processes as regular manuscripts. For further information on the journal’s peer review policy please see the "Instructions for Authors".

Recent Special Issues

Journal Impact Factor	0.7	2023, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2024)
5-year Journal Impact Factor	0.7	2023, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2024)
Journal Citation Indicator	0.15	2023, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2024)
CiteScore	2.0	2023, Scopus (Elsevier B.V., 2024)
SCImago Journal Rank	0.276	2023, SJR (Scimago Lab, 2024; Data Source: Scopus)
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.518	2023, CWTS Journal Indicators (CWTS B.V., 2024; Data Source: Scopus)

More information about journal rankings

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Submission
You can submit your manuscript online using the Editorial Manager system. Simply visit http://www.editorialmanager.com/aut/default.aspx directly or click on the link Online Submission of Manuscripts on the journal homepage. For a guide how to use the Editorial Manager please refer to the Author Tutorial for Editorial Manager, also linked on the journal homepage.

Your benefits of publishing with us

Rapid online publication with short turnaround times
High impact
High quality blind peer-review
Free publication of color figures in print and online
No page charges
Optional open access publication
Accepted papers will be published online first as DOI-citable, forward-linked articles for quickest possible visibility for the scientific community
Every article easily discoverable because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and comprehensive abstracting and indexing services
Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico
Professional sales and marketing activities

Submission process

Check that your topic fits the scope of the journal
Use our LaTeX or Word templates for drafting a manuscript Submission of your paper via our submission management tool

The editorial office will forward your manuscript to the Editor-in-Chief for evaluation and peer-review. We aim to provide decisions after peer-review within 3 months of receipt (including any author revisions); papers deemed unsuitable for the journal will usually be returned to authors within two weeks of submission
You will be guided through every step of peer review process
Decision on your paper
You will be informed by e-mail if your manuscript has been accepted or rejected or if it requires further attention
Hybrid Open Access is available as an option post-acceptance
Publication online and in print

Please note

Before submitting your article please refer to our at Ethical Guidelines and our Copyright Transfer Agreement
Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise German or English
For German articles we recommend that authors additionally include abstract and keywords in English
Our Repository Policy allows you to distribute 30 PDF copies of your published article to colleagues (the PDF has to include the information that it is an author's copy). Please also feel free to distribute the link to the online abstract
If you have any general questions please visit our FAQ page for authors or contact us directly at AUTO.Editorial@degruyter.com

We look forward to receiving your manuscript!

Hybrid Open Access

In this journal, authors have the option to publish their article under an open access license. Open Access allows you as an author to retain copyright and share your findings with colleagues and interested parties worldwide without any restraints.
Please note that authors from institutions with which we have a transformative agreement can publish open access without paying an article processing charge (APC). More information on the eligible institutions and articles can be found under the "Funding and Support" tab here.

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Jumar, Institute for Automation Engineering (IFAT), Magdeburg, Germany

Advisory Board
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Adamy, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Beyerer, Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, Karlsruhe, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Georg Bretthauer, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Fay, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sören Hohmann, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Kleinert, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Prof. Dr. Ralf Mikut, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
Dr.-Ing. Jörg Neidig, Siemens AG, Nürnberg, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Rauter, University of Basel, Switzerland
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Klaus Röbenack, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Joachim Rudolph, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Martin Wolter, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
Prof. Dr. Ningbo Yu, Nankai University, Tianjin, P.R. China

Journal Coordinator
Birgit Zoglmeier
De Gruyter, Munich
AUTO.Editorial@degruyter.com

Volume 72 Issue 12

December 2024

Publicly Available November 29, 2024

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iii

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Editorial

November 28, 2024

Human in the loop

Balint Varga, Frank Flemisch, Sören Hohmann

Page range: 1109-1111

Survey

Open Access November 28, 2024

Towards equitable shared control

Shifting from static to dynamic policies that provide personalised support in assistive robotics

Tom Carlson

Page range: 1112-1120

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Abstract

Shared human-machine control systems are critical to realising assistive technologies that empower users to enhance their level of independence, and quality of life. In this paper, we present an overview of the state-of-the-art in equitable shared control for assistive robotics, drawing upon examples from our own work, applied to both smart wheelchair applications and the brain-machine interface domain. In particular, we focus on three themes: personalised control optimisation; understanding interactions with the environment; and supporting users to maintain control authority. Through these concepts we demonstrate the potential of equitable shared control systems and argue for future research into more dynamic policies that continue to support users as their needs evolve in the long-term.

November 28, 2024

Cooperative trajectory planning: principles for human-machine system design on trajectory level

Julian Schneider, Balint Varga, Sören Hohmann

Page range: 1121-1129

Abstract

This paper explores cooperative trajectory planning approaches within the context of human-machine shared control. In shared control research, it is typically assumed that the human and the automation use the same reference trajectory to stabilize the coupled system. However, this assumption is often incorrect, as they usually follow different trajectories, causing control conflicts at the action level that have not been widely researched. To address this, it is logical to extend shared control concepts to include human-machine interaction at the trajectory-level before action execution, resulting in a unified reference trajectory for both human and automation. This paper begins with a literature overview on approaches of cooperative trajectory planning. It then presents an approach of finding a joint trajectory by modelling cooperative trajectory planning as an agreement process. A generally valid system structure is proposed for this purpose. Finally, it proposes concepts to implement cooperative trajectory planning as an agreement process.

Methods

November 28, 2024

Scientists and drivers in-the-loop, on-the-loop or out-of-the-loop? Holistic human systems integration of teleoperated vehicles

Frank Flemisch, Marcel Usai, Andreas Schrank, Michael Oehl, Lena Plum, Elisabeth Shi, Martin Baumann, Klaus Bengler

Page range: 1130-1140

Abstract

The article metaphorically transfers the idea of “in-the-loop”, “out-of-the-loop” and “on-the-loop” from direct control of a vehicle to the influence and control of scientists on the in- and out-of-the-loop problem, here of teleoperation of vehicles. The article is based on the findings of an interdisciplinary group of experts coordinated by the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) on the research needs for teleoperation of vehicles, in particular of Cluster 2 on the subject of Human Systems Integration. Based on three use cases of teleoperation, questions are discussed regarding the extent to which science should develop from “out-of-the-loop” towards “on-the-loop” or even “in-the-loop”, and what opportunities and risks could be associated.

Open Access November 28, 2024

Towards human capability estimation to enhance human-robot team performance

Nils Mandischer, Lars Mikelsons

Page range: 1141-1159

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Abstract

Skilled labor shortage is a prominent challenge in the world of work. Meanwhile, age-related disabilities or injury lead to at least temporary performance limitations, which make people unfit to work. Consequently, even less workers are available. By employing human-robot teams, the performance of these people may be restored. This requires a good artificial understanding of the human’s capabilities, as generic robot behavior is not feasible with the highly individualized manifestations of disability. We present an approach that allows the robot to autonomously assess human capabilities based on standards from occupational medicine. The method does not only indicate the presence/absence of capabilities, but gives them a discrete rating. This allows the robot to better define its own behavior as a mixture of supportive actions based on gaps in the detailed capabilities.

November 28, 2024

Autonomous vehicle eHMI communication modalities: pedestrian preferences in crossing scenarios

Kolja Kühnlenz, Barbara Kühnlenz

Page range: 1160-1168

Abstract

This paper presents results from a study on the impact of negative attitudes towards robots on pedestrians’ needs for technological communication capabilities of autonomous vehicles and preferred communication modalities. Further, the amount of prior information on autonomous vehicles given to test persons is varied. The study is realized in terms of an imagination scenario. Results show a significant dependency of the demand for communication of autonomous vehicles with pedestrians on the extent of negative attitudes towards robots as well as a general demand for such communication capabilities. Interestingly, these findings are independent of the amount of prior information. Differences of preferred communication modalities with respect to negative attitudes or prior information are not found. The results of this study emphasize the importance of vehicle-pedestrian communication, particularly, using multi-modal interfaces in future autonomous driving technology.

Applications

Open Access November 28, 2024

The work organization in teleoperated driving – a human reliability and socio-technical systems perspective

Niklas Grabbe, Stefan Brettschneider, Klaus Bengler

Page range: 1169-1194

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Abstract

Very high levels of automation in road traffic are accompanied by the need for teleoperation. If the driverless autonomous vehicle is not able to solve a complex driving situation, then the problem should be solved by a teleoperated intervention by getting a human into the loop. Such a system is highly complex, interacting in a socio-technical system. Therefore, in addition to the empirical research of user-centered development of teleoperated driving, an analytical and systemic approach is crucial in the first place to understand the interrelationships between the subsystems and to optimize a teleoperated driving system. This work provides a base for the systemic consideration by taking two different perspectives focusing on the work organization and vehicle operation dealing with how many vehicles can be monitored and serviced by one operator. First, a brief analytical perspective of human reliability is taken, emphasizing the appropriate definition of the operational design domain and knowledge of its variability. Second, a comprehensive systemic, socio-technical perspective is applied using the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) for a reflexive and computational purpose highlighting effects on operator workload and traffic performance. Finally, the implications of the research results are discussed and integrated into socio-technical interactions in everyday teleoperated driving between blunt- and sharp-end factors from a safety and reliability perspective to demonstrate the complex leverage of the work organization. Overall, the insights contribute to an enhanced understanding of the complex socio-technical interactions in teleoperated driving.

November 28, 2024

On passivity-based trajectory tracking for robotic manipulators combining PD+ and Slotine-Li control

Kristin Lakatos, Dominic Lakatos, Xuwei Wu, Paul Kotyczka, Alexander Dietrich

Page range: 1195-1206

Abstract

In this paper, a tracking controller for robots is analyzed, which allows both the specification of the convergence rate of the tracking errors and the parameterization of a desired contact stiffness and damping. It is shown that the control approach can be interpreted as a generalization of the well-known PD+ and Slotine-Li controllers, combining the benefits of both approaches. Although mentioned in the literature before, no thorough theoretical and practical analysis of the aforementioned passivity-based control concept has been performed so far. In this work, the implications of the gains are discussed w.r.t. convergence and interaction properties, addressing possible tuning strategies. Finally, the performance of the controller is evaluated in terms of tracking and interaction experiments on a KUKA LWR IV+.

Mitteilungens

November 28, 2024

58. Regelungstechnisches Kolloquium in Boppard

Thomas Meurer

Page range: 1207-1208

November 28, 2024

Zum Gedenken an Prof. em. Dr.-Ing. Franz Mesch

Georg Bretthauer, Jürgen Beyerer, Christoph Stiller

Page range: 1209-1211

November 28, 2024

Jahresrückblick 2024

Ulrich Jumar

Page range: 1212-1213

(Deutsch)

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Online ISSN: 2196-677X
Print ISSN: 0178-2312
Type: Journal
Languages: German, English
Publisher: De Gruyter (O)
First published: June 20, 1964
Publication Frequency: 12 Issues per Year
Audience: researchers in the field of automation technology in academia and industry