Abstract. The COTESYS cluster of excellence a investigates cognition for technical systems such as vehicles, robots, and factories. Cognitive technical systems (CTS) are information processing systems equipped with artificial sensors and actuators, integrated and embedded into physical systems, and acting in a physical world. They differ from other technical systems as they perform cognitive control and have cognitive capabilities. Cognitive control orchestrates reflexive and habitual behavior in accord with longterm intentions. Cognitive capabilities such as perception, reasoning, learning, and planning turn technical systems into systems that “know what they are doing”. The cognitive capabilities will result in systems of higher reliability, flexibility, adaptivity, and better performance. They will be easier to interact and cooperate with.