DFG funds Computing Science Research Training Group on "System Correctness under Adverse Circumstances": How can a transport vehicle drive autonomously without colliding with other vehicles? What secures access to computer information?
In November, the German Research Foundation approved the Research Training Group "System Correctness under Adverse Circumstances - SCARE". The project officially starts on 1 October 2012 with 15 doctoral students, and the funding period is four and a half years. The aim is to investigate computer systems that interact with the environment.
"Oldenburg Computing Science is working on topics that are important for society as a whole. The DFG's decision highlights the high research quality and performance of Oldenburg's Computing Science and recognises its outstanding commitment to young scientists," said University President Prof. Dr Babette Simon.
How can a transport vehicle drive autonomously without colliding with other vehicles? What secures access to valuable computer information in an emergency? What guarantees the security of a system, even when new participants are added? Such questions were the deciding factor in applying for the Research Training Group, says Oldenburg Computing Science specialist and spokesperson for the Research Training Group, Prof. Dr Ernst-Rüdiger Olderog. "We want to use the research questions to develop a theory on the correctness of systems that can withstand adverse circumstances, such as limited knowledge or changing system structures," says Olderog.
"Adverse circumstances" are quickly identified, for example in a vehicle's assistance system: sensors only perceive the environment inaccurately, system components fail or work too slowly due to ageing hardware. "We want to find methods with which we can access vital data despite such circumstances," explains Olderog.
To achieve this, he wants to expand concepts in a team of eight university lecturers and doctoral students: from automata and network theory, logic and semantics, game theory and information systems. The biggest challenge, however, is modelling "adverse circumstances", emphasises Olderog. For example, the computer control system and the environment must be modelled for the assistance system of a vehicle. "We then first analyse under which assumptions the interaction between the system and the environment is correct, and in this case that means The vehicle keeps a safe distance from the obstacle."
The investigations will start as soon as possible: "Once we have received the written decision from the DFG, we will advertise the first doctoral positions". Five doctoral students will start in October next year, with two further groups to follow. It is possible that there will be more than 15 young researchers. Olderog: "There will also be doctoral students who want to work on the topic of the research training group - but who are already funded from other sources."