This talk takes into account the current status of automation science and technology development as well as the existing automation undergraduate programs in many Chinese universities at the moment; while lending from the successes in automation science and technology developmental history combined with future demands for automation systems to aid in the economic development and national security of China with emerging technologies including mobile internet, cloud computing and big data driven artificial intelligence; taking manufacturing systems, important vehicles and cyber-physical and human system as research objects, this talk proposes that the future of automation systems be directed towards transforming into intelligent autonomous control system, intelligent optimal decision-making system and integrated system of intelligent optimal decision-making and control. With a research focus geared towards practical application, new algorithms of modeling, control and optimization for the prospective functions of the developing automation systems with subsequent design of methods and implementation techniques for new automation systems are taken as development directions of automation science and technology. Finally, this talk proposes that the future direction for development in the field of automation science and technology should be based on the current challenges and requirements that have emerged in new areas of application.
