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Awards Publications Automatica Journal Award
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Automatica Paper Prize Winners up to 2026

All articles awarded by the Automatica Paper Prize from 1981 to 2026.

1981 Kyoto     

  • Survey
    A Theoretical Analysis of Recursive Identification Methods     
    T. Söderström, L. Ljung, I. Gustavsson (SE)
    Automatica, vol. 14, pp 231-244, 1978 
    10.1016/0005-1098(78)90088-2
  • Theory/Methodology
    Modeling by Shortest Data Description
    J. Rissanen (CA)
    Automatica, vol. 14, pp 465-471, 1978
    10.1016/0005-1098(78)90005-5    
  • Application
    Real Time Distributed Parameter State Estimation Applied to a Two Dimensional Heated Ingot
    G.K. Lausterer, W.H. Ray, H.R. Martens (DE/US)
    Automatica, vol. 14, pp 335-344, 1978
    10.1016/0005-1098(78)90033-X

1984 Budapest 

  • Survey
    Theory and Applications of Adaptive Control – A Survey
    K.J. Åström (SE)
    Automatica, vol. 19, nb. 5, pp 471-486, 1983        
    10.1016/0005-1098(83)90002-X       
  • Theory/Methodology
    Perfect and Subperfect Regulation in Linear Multivariable Control Systems
    H. Kimura (JP)
    Automatica, vol. 18, nb. 2, pp 125-145, 1982
    10.1016/0005-1098(82)90103-0
  • Theory/Methodology
    Model Algorithmic Control (MAC); Basic Theoretical Properties
    R. Rouhani, R.K. Mehra (US)
    Automatica, vol. 18, nb. 4, pp 401-414, 1982            
    10.1016/0005-1098(82)90069-3   
  • Application
    Automatic Control of Casting Speed in Ingot Casting
    T. Shiraiwa, Y. Sakamoto, S. Kobayashi, S. Anezaki, H. Kato, A. Kuwabara (JP)
    Automatica, vol. 17, nb 4, pp 613-618, 1981      
    10.1016/0005-1098(81)90032-7          

1987 Munich 

  • Survey
    Microcomputer Control of High Dynamic Performance AC-Drives – A Survey
    W. Leonhard (UK)
    Automatica, vol. 22, nb. 1, pp 1-19, 1986     
    10.1016/0005-1098(86)90101-9
  • Theory/Methodology
    Self-Tuning Control of Nonminimum-Phase Systems
    D.W. Clarke (NL)
    Automatica, vol. 20, nb. 5, pp 501-517, 1984
    10.1016/0005-1098(84)90003-7
  • Theory/Methodology
    From Time Series to Linear Systems, Part 1: Finite Dimensional Linear Time Invariant Systems
    J.C. Willems (BE)
    Automatica, vol. 22, nb. 5, pp 561-580, 1986
    10.1016/0005-1098(86)90066-X
  • Theory/Methodology
    From Time Series to Linear Systems, Part 2: Exact Modeling
    J.C. Willems (BE)
    Automatica, vol. 22, nb. 6, pp 675-694, 1986
    10.1016/0005-1098(86)90005-1
  • Theory/Methodology
    From Time Series to Linear Systems, Part 3: Approximate Modeling
    J.C. Willems (BE)
    Automatica, vol. 1, pp 87-115, 1987    
    10.1016/0005-1098(87)90120-8           
  • Application
    Modeling, Estimation and Control in the Relief of Post-Operative Pain
    O.L.R. Jacobs, R.E.S. Bullingham, P. Lammer, H.J. McDuay, G.O. Sullivan, M.P. Reasbeck (UK)
    Automatica, vol. 21, nb. 4, pp 349-360, 1985    
    10.1016/0005-1098(85)90072-X      

1990 Tallinn 

  • Survey
    Fundamental Theorem of State Feedback for Singular Perturbations
    V. Kucera, P. Zagalak (CZ)
    Automatica, vol. 24, nb. 5, pp 653-658, 1988    
    10.1016/0005-1098(88)90112-4          
  • Theory/Methodology
    Robust stability of Perturbed Systems with Time Delays
    B.R. Barmish, Z. Shi (US)
    Automatica, vol. 25, nb. 3, pp 371-381, 1989  
    10.1016/0005-1098(89)90005-8            
  • Application
    Observer-Based Multivariable Control of the Aluminum Cold Tandem Mill
    I. Hoshino, Y. Maekawa, T. Fujimoto, H. Kimura, H. Kimura (JP)
    Automatica, vol. 24, nb. 6, pp 741-754, 1988               
    10.1016/0005-1098(88)90050-7

1993 Sydney

  • Survey
    Adaptation and Tracking in System Identification – A Survey
    L. Ljung, S. Gunnarsson (SE)
    Automatica, vol. 26, nb. 1, pp 7-21, 1990  
    10.1016/0005-1098(90)90154-A   
  • Theory/Methodology
    The Robust Root Locus
    B.R. Barmish, R. Tempo (US/IT)
    Automatica, vol. 26, nb. 2, pp 283-292, 1990    
    10.1016/0005-1098(90)90122-X   
  • Application
    On the Attitude Stabilization of Rigid Spacecraft
    C.I. Byrnes, A. Isidori (US/IT)
    Automatica, vol. 27, nb. 1, pp 87-95, 1991  
    10.1016/0005-1098(91)90008-P

1996 San Francisco 

  • Survey
    Petri Nets for Modeling of Dynamic Systems – A Survey
    R. David, H. Alla (FR)
    Automatica, vol. 30, nb. 2, pp 175-202, 1994    
    10.1016/0005-1098(94)90024-8      
  • Theory/Methodology
    N4SID: Subspace Algorithms for the Identification of Combined Deterministic-Stochastic Systems
    P. van Overschee, B. de Moor (BE)
    Automatica, vol. 30, nb. 1, pp 75-94, 1994  
    10.1016/0005-1098(94)90230-5
  • Application
    Design of Ride Control System for Surface Effect Ships Using Dissipative Control
    A. J. Sorensen, O. Egeland (NO)
    Automatica, vol. 31, nb. 2, pp 183-200, 1995    
    10.1016/0005-1098(94)00090-6       

1999 Beijing

  • Survey
    From Youla-Kucera to Identification, Adaptation and Nonlinear Control
    B.D.O. Anderson (AU)
    Automatica, vol. 34, nb. 12, pp 1485-1506, 1998 
    10.1016/S0005-1098(98)80002-2
  • Theory/Methodology
    Stability of Bottom-Heavy Underwater Vehicles
    N. Leonard (US)
    Automatical, vol. 33, nb. 3, pp 331-346, 1997
    10.1016/S0005-1098(96)00176-8
  • Application
    A New Pattern Recognition Adaptive Controller with Applications to HVAC Systems
    A. Seem (US)
    Automatica, vol. 34, nb. 8, pp 969-982, 1998      
    10.1016/S0005-1098(98)00033-8         

2002 Barcelona 

  • Survey
    Set Invariance in Control
    F. Blanchini (IT)
    Automatica, vol. 35, nb. 11, pp 1747-1767, 1999
    10.1016/S0005-1098(99)00113-2
  • Theory/Methodology
    Randomized Algorithms for Robust Controller Synthesis Using Statistical Learning Theory
    M. Vidyasagar (IN)
    Automatica, vol. 37, nb. 10, pp 1515-1528, 2001 
    10.1016/S0005-1098(01)00122-4   
  • Application
    Nonlinear Passive Weather Optimal Positioning Control (WOPC) System for Ships and Rigs: Experimental Results
    T.I. Fossen, J.P. Strand (NO)
    Automatica, vol. 37, nb. 5, pp 701-715, 2001     
    10.1016/S0005-1098(01)00006-1          

2005 Prague 

  • Survey
    Time Delay Systems: An overview of some recent advances and open problems 
    J.P. Richard (FR)
    Automatica, vol. 39, nb. 10, pp 1667-1674, 2003
    10.1016/S0005-1098(03)00167-5
  • Theory/Methodology
    Switching Between Stabilizing Controllers
    J.P. Hespanha, A.S. Morse (US)
    Automatica, vol. 38, nb. 11, pp 1905-1917, 2002
    10.1016/S0005-1098(02)00139-5
  • Application
    Implicit Fault-tolerant Control: Application to Induction Motors            
    C. Bonivento, A. Isidori, L. Marconi, A. Paoli (IT)
    Automatica, vol. 40, nb. 3, pp 355-371, 2004
    10.1016/j.automatica.2003.10.003

2008 Seoul 

  • Survey
    Bilateral teleoperation: An historical survey 
    P.F. Hokayem, M.W. Spong (US)
    Automatica, vol. 42, nb. 12, pp 2035-2057, 2006
    10.1016/j.automatica.2006.06.027
  • Theory/Methodology
    Optimal control of switching systems            
    S.C. Bengea, R.A. Decarlo (US)
    Automatica, vol. 41, nb. 1, pp 11-27, 2005
    10.1016/j.automatica.2004.08.003
  • Application
    Static H-infinity loop shaping control of a fly-by-wire helicopter 
    E. Prempain, I. Postlethwaite (UK)
    Automatica, vol. 41, nb. 9, pp 1517-1528, 2005
    10.1016/j.automatica.2005.04.001

2011 Milan 

  • Survey
    A Unifying Point of View on Output Feedback Designs for Global Asymptotic Stabilization 
    V. Andrieu, L. Praly (FR)
    Automatica, vol. 45, nb. 8, pp 1789-1798, 2009
    10.1016/j.automatica.2009.04.015
  • Theory/Methodology
    Controllability and Observability of Boolean Control Networks               
    D.-Z. Cheng, H.-S. Qi (CN)
    Automatica, vol. 45, nb. 7, pp 1659-1667, 2009
    10.1016/j.automatica.2009.03.006
  • Application
    Continuous Trajectory Planning of Mobile Sensors for Informative Forecasting                  
    H.-L. Choi, J.P. How (KR)
    Automatica, vol. 46, nb. 8, pp 1266-1275, 2010
    10.1016/j.automatica.2010.05.004

2014 Cape Town

  • Survey
    Smoothed state estimates under abrupt changes using sum-of-norms regularization      
    H. Ohlsson, F. Gustafsson, L. Ljung, S. Boyd (SE/SE/SE/US)
    Automatica, vol. 48, nb. 4, pp 595-605, 2012
    10.1016/j.automatica.2011.08.063
  • Theory/Methodology
    System identification of nonlinear state-space models             
    T.B. Schon, A. Wills, B. Ninness (SE/AU/AU)
    Automatica, vol. 47, nb. 1, pp 39-49, 2011
    10.1016/j.automatica.2010.10.013
  • Application
    Synchronization and power sharing for droop-controlled inverters in islanded microgrids              
    J.W. Simpson-Porco, F. Dorfler, F. Bullo (US)
    Automatica, vol. 49, nb. 9, pp 2603-2611, 2013
    10.1016/j.automatica.2013.05.018

2017 Toulouse

  • Survey
    A new kernel-based approach to hybrid system identification                 
    G. Pillonetto (IT)
    Automatica, vol. 70, pp 21-31, 2016
    10.1016/j.automatica.2016.03.011
  • Theory/Methodology
    Conditions for stability of droop-controlled inverter-based microgrids
    J. Schiffer, R. Ortega, A. Astolfi, J. Raisch, T. Sezi (UK/FR/DE)
    Automatica, vol. 50, nb. 10, pp 2457-2469, 2014
    10.1016/j.automatica.2014.08.009
  • Application
    Constrained zonotopes: A new tool for set-based estimation and fault detection
    J.K. Scott, D.M. Raimondo, G.R. Marseglia, R.D. Braatz (US/IT)
    Automatica, vol. 69, pp 126-136, 2016
    10.1016/j.automatica.2016.02.036

2020 Berlin 

  • Survey
    Symmetry reduction for dynamic programming
    J. Maidens, A. Barrau, S. Bonnabel, M. Arcak (CA/FR/FR/US)
    Automatica, vol. 97, pp 367-375, 2018
    10.1016/j.automatica.2018.08.024
  • Theory/Methodology
    A discrete-time Pontryagin, maximum principle on matrix Lie groups
    K. S. Phogat, D. Chatterjee, R. Banavar (IN)
    Automatica, vol. 97, pp 376-391, 2018
    10.1016/j.automatica.2018.08.026
  • Application
    Balanced Truncation of Networked Linear Passive Systems
    X. Cheng, J. M.A. Scherpen, B. Besselink (NL)
    Automatica, vol. 104, pp 17-25, 2019
    10.1016/j.automatica.2019.02.045

2023 Yokohama             

  • Survey
    On continuous-time infinite horizon optimal control -Dissipativity, stability, and transversality
    T. Faulwasser, C. M. Kellett (DE/AU)
    Automatica, vol. 134, no. 109907, 2021
    10.1016/j.automatica.2021.109907
  • Theory/Methodology
    Sparse system identification for stochastic systems with general observation sequences
    W. Zhao, G. Yin, E.-W. Bai (CN/US)
    Automatica, vol. 121, no. 109162, 2020
    10.1016/j.automatica.2020.109162               
  • Application
    Projection-Based Integrators for Improved Motion Control: Formalization, Well-posedness and Stability of Hybrid Integrator-Gain Systems
    D.A. Deenen, B. Sharif, S. van den Eijnden, H. Nijmeijer, M. Heemels, M. Heertjes (NL)
    Automatica, vol. 133, no. 109830, 2021
    10.1016/j.automatica.2021.109830

2026 Busan

  • Graph-based conditions for feedback stabilization of switched and LPV systems
    M. Della Rossa, T. Alves Lima, M. Jungers, R.M. Jungers
    Automatica, vol. 160, no. 111427, 2024
    10.1016/j.automatica.2023.111427
  • Deep networks for system identification: A survey
    G. Pillonetto, A. Aravkin, D. Gedon, L. Ljung, A.H. Ribeiro, T. B. Schön
    Automatica, vol. 171, no. 111907, 2025
    10.1016/j.automatica.2024.111907
  • Feedback stability analysis via dissipativity with dynamic supply rates
    S. Zhen Khong, C. Chen, A. Lanzon
    Automatica, vol. 172, no. 112000, 2025
    10.1016/j.automatica.2024.112000

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Awards 12-Aug-2026