Fuzzy Model Identification Based on Cluster Estimation

We present an efficient method for estimating cluster centers of numerical data. This method can be used to determine the number of clusters and their initial values for initializing iterative optimization-based clustering algorithms such as fuzzy C-means. Here we use the cluster estimation method as the basis of a fast and robust algorithm for identifying fuzzy models. A benchmark problem involving the prediction of a chaotic time series shows this model identification method compares favorably with other, more computationally intensive methods. We also illustrate an application of this method in modeling the relationship between automobile trips and demographic factors.