Variable structure control (VSC) is a well-known solution to the problem of the deterministic control of uncertain systems since it is with the complete insensitivity to the system variations if parameter variations satisfy certain matching conditions. In the last decades, the ideas of the VSC and switching control are successfully applied to the practical industrial systems, for example, mobile robots, electric drives, a rigid spacecraft, underwater ships, and many other mechanical systems. More recently, by combining with other control methods, the discontinuous controller in VSC is widely employed in many practical applications and theoretical analysis. Until today, there are still many advances in theoretical developments and practical application aspects, and also many challenging issues to be solved.

The main focus of this special issue will represent the state of the art in theoretical developments and industrial applications of variable structure systems (VSS) and sliding mode control. Some other applications of variable structure control in engineering are also encouraged. The special issue is to summarize the most recent developments and ideas in this field and the emerging trend of cross-fertilization and integration of VSC with other control methods. It will become an international forum for researchers and particularly attempts to identify the perceived directions for graduate students. The topics to be covered include, but not limited to:

• Theoretical developments in VSC
• Higher order and terminal sliding modes
• Sliding modes for matched and unmatched uncertainties
• Output feedback and robust control with a variable structure control
• Sliding mode control in discrete time and difference systems
• Digital variable structure control with pseudo-sliding modes
• Combined adaptive and variable structure control
• Combined intelligent and variable structure control
• Variable structure control applications in industrial robots
• Practical aspects in industrial applications
• Other applications of variable structure control in engineering

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mpe/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/mpe/vsca/ according to the following timetable: