This paper presents the results of simulation and control experiments using a recently proposed method for real-time switching
among a pool of controllers. The switching strategy selects the current controller based on neural network estimates of the
future system performance for each controller. This neural-network-based switching controller has been implemented for a simulated
inverted pendulum and a level control system for an underwater vehicle in our laboratory. The objectives of the experiments
presented here are to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach to switching control for real systems and to identify techniques
to deal with practical issues that arise in the training of the neural networks and the real-time switching behavior of the
system. This experimental work complements on-going theoretical investigations of the method which will be reported elsewhere.
Research supported by a CONICYT-IBD grant from the government of Uruguay, and the Organization of American States under grant
F44395.
Research supported by DARPA under contract F33615-97-C-1012.