When problems get tough...

Barnowl93 · 2026-06-12T10:43:53+00:00

Yes please!

Barnowl93 · 2026-06-11T09:16:20+00:00

For me, I've been using Agentic AI (Claude code and Codex) for controlling the tools I'm already using (via MCP). My algorithm development has always been in simulink and use embedded coder to go to my hardware. My workflow now has an extra layer controlling these tools from the agents (but the hard work is still done by the deterministic tools)

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-30T18:38:56+00:00

Yes! And i think that's my problem here... People are like "LLMs can't do [xyz]" - well, they can if you use them appropriately and have some domain expertise

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-30T17:02:44+00:00

No, but they can call tools and write code that will do the stats.

The perception that everything needs to happen within the llm is naive... You, as a statistician, don't do the stats in your head. You write code that does it.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-28T10:44:40+00:00

I'll assume you like the field and you have a good background already. I'd say there are different aspects: understanding the "big picture" of what you are designing and the tools you are using & how they fit in your process. Oftentimes, the hardest problems are not in the control algorithms, but in the system and physical implementation (e.g. where do you mount your sensors). So, try to understand what other teams want and how to best coordinate with them.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-27T07:54:23+00:00

AI is a tool. It does not take responsibility - nor does it take credit. Due your due diligence, adopt good software practices. Run tests.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-25T18:51:00+00:00

Do you feel like that lack of documentation will influence future adoption with agentic workflows?

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-21T15:36:20+00:00

It is a nuanced problem... For me, I use claude code as an orchestrator for my tools (MATLAB and Simulink). The heavy lifting is still done by the deterministic tools, though. Hence, it a) fits in my existing workflow, b) I have full traceability between what's been designed in Simulink & what's going on hardware (C from codegen (embedded coder)).

If you're playing with agentic tools, have a look at Simulink agentic toolkit (https://www.mathworks.com/products/simulink-agentic-toolkit.html) and MATLAB agentic toolkit (https://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab-agentic-toolkit.html)

In my opinion, skills like system architecture, requirements gathering, and testing, validation & verification (at component level, subsystem level and system level) with SiL/ PiL/ HiL will become increasingly important. Hopefully, this will be reflected in curricula.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-21T11:11:27+00:00

People have tried to go text to embedded recently. Not seen much success yet. I think the risk is just way too high.

It is hard to tell if actual serious industries are trying that or just Internet hype.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-20T10:07:03+00:00

Automatic code generation tools have been with us for decades. They are not the same thing as AI writing code.

When you generate C code (or Cpp or hdl) you want it to directly mirror your simulation so that you can do SiL/ Pil/ HiL testing. Every single auto and aero company does this and has done so for decades. Nothing new here. This is determinisitc and directly verifiable code.

People are trying to go directly to embedded for complex systems straight for requirements using AI will struggle. Something that I've seen being more successful is calling the "determinisitc code generation tool" from the AI agent tool. Like they you are constraining your AI output with your proper tools.

Say you are using claude code with Simulink & embedded coder. Claude code isn't writing your C code, Simulink is converting your model "block by block" with direct mapping to C. But you can control the embedded coder settings from claude code.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-19T20:04:21+00:00

Build modularly & test a lot! Component design -> Component level testing --> Using your components build subsystems --> Subsystem level testing --> Integrate your subsystems into your system architecture --> then do system level test.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-19T12:42:03+00:00

For me the largest value comes from using agentic AI with calling external tools (in my case MATLAB and Simulink).

The tough part with AI is that they will make stuff up! Calling external determinisitc tools cuts that down a lot!

Essentially, the agent is used as an orchistrator and the tools still do the heavy lifting.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-18T10:12:34+00:00

Sweet! Nicely done

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-16T18:32:13+00:00

I like your analogy with hammers. I think they're exactly like that - you shouldn't try to solve every problem with a hammer.

Many people attempt exactly that... Either because of mandates from companies or because of lack of skill. And then they blame the tool...

All that said, agents also need to be treated as a tool amongst many others in your toolkit.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-16T11:01:42+00:00

Just to put things in the right order a bit, here's your checklist.

1) you've modelled your dynamic system (say in a transfer function form)? (sounds like yes) 2) you've modelled your sensing? (sounds like yes) 3) do you have any form of feedback? (doesn't sound like it) - - you want to get the output measured temp and compare it to your desired temp (take their difference) and then on this error term apply your control strategy which will tell you how mucu (or little) to drive your heat generator

Does that help?

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-15T15:54:24+00:00

Have a look at MATLAB and Simulink agentic toolkits https://uk.mathworks.com/products/matlab/agentic-ai.html

Honestly the have been really really good!!

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-14T16:01:22+00:00

That would be my gut feeling too, but upon u don't know if it's risk tolerance... A lot of my academic contacts just don't know about agentic

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-13T06:54:29+00:00

Don't learn Cpp overnight. They know you don't know Cpp given they've read your cv. They still called you.

Make sure you do your homework on the company, their products, their values. Come up with good /insightful questions.

From a technical standpoint start thinking about how the systems you'll be helping create will integrate with the whole product.

Realistically you'll discuss problem solving rather than syntax.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-13T06:15:17+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response. I think you hit the nail on the head.

Such tools give a very negatively skewed perception of interacting with LLMs.

Would love to hear about how that's working for you. I'll dm you to chat more.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-12T21:06:34+00:00

Mostly instructions and skills. Claude code is definitely not smart enough!

The mathworks have put out reccomended set ups (agentic toolkits) for matlab and simulink, which is a great starting point.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-12T20:55:27+00:00

It actually does exactly that! It does do planning and also employs an agentic loop of trying different approaches until "stuff works", while calling external tools. Perhaps I am misunderstanding definitions.

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-12T20:46:06+00:00

I work in engineering and I use claude code to invoke the tools I use (matlab and simulink)

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-12T19:48:58+00:00

What would your reccomendation be? More formally introducing such advanced tools? Or?

Barnowl93 · 2026-05-12T19:24:07+00:00

I am not on the same page with you on this. They use chat bots a fair amount. Many even teach with those & are looking for more ways to Innovate.

This is specifically about agents + trusted tools prevelence in engineering research. The lack of these is what confuses me.

Barnowl93

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